Home Is Where The Heart Is

"The magic about home is that, it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back."

When people ask me where I’m from, I can never just give a simple answer. It’s never been that easy. My roots are tangled in multiple places, and depending on where I am in the world when I get asked that question, the reactions to my answer are always different.

Where do I even begin? I carry not one, not two, but five distinct origins, and each has shaped who I am, how I see the world, and how I express myself. The languages I speak reflect these places, and they’re more than just words — they’re a lens through which I view life.

I am Haitian by Birth.

Born in Port-au-Prince to a 7th-generation Haitian mother and a French father, Haiti is where my story began. It's the place where I spent most of my childhood and teenage years, and the country I returned to as an adult for work. My heart beats in rhythm with Haiti’s rich, complex culture. I speak both Haitian Creole and French fluently, and those languages are etched into my soul. Even though I don’t look "typically Haitian," and faced racism growing up as a white child in Haiti, the country is woven into my identity. It’s the land of my roots, my ancestry, and so many memories. For me, Haiti is Home.

I am French by Heritage.

My French side comes from my father and his family, rooted in the Burgundy region. France was part of my childhood too, and I returned as an adult for several years. The French way of thinking—its culture, language, and appreciation for the arts and knowledge—has shaped how I approach life. It’s given me a world of exploration and a deep sense of curiosity. I’ve always felt a pull toward France, and it remains Home in its own way.

I am American by Influence.

Growing up in Haiti, I was naturally exposed to American culture. Haiti itself has strong ties to the U.S., both geographically and culturally. Later on, I lived in the States, where English became my dominant language. I embraced so much of the American lifestyle—it feels familiar, comfortable. In many ways, the U.S. shaped the way I see the world, and I could easily call the East Coast Home if I chose to go back. The time I spent there felt like an extension of who I am, and it continues to influence how I express myself today.

I am Dominican at Heart.

The Dominican Republic was where I first tasted real freedom as a young woman. After high school, I moved there and fell deeply in love with the country—the warmth of its people, the vibrancy of its culture, and the joy of living. My family and I had vacationed there often, but living there as an adult was different. It was a time of independence and self-discovery. Spanish flowed from me as if it had been there all along. Dominican culture—its music, its dance, its energy—became a part of me, and in many ways, I could have stayed forever. The Dominican Republic holds a special place in my heart, and I secretly hope to return one day.

I am Romanian by Marriage.

My husband and I met in the Dominican Republic, both working for the same French company, and we’ve been on an adventure together ever since. We traveled the world for work, lived in places like Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Europe, but Romania became our base. We got married in Haiti and later decided to settle in Romania, where our son was born. Romania grew on me, not just because of my husband, but because of its people, its traditions, and its breathtaking landscapes. I even became fluent in Romanian, blending in so well that sometimes people forget I’m not a local. Romania is where my heart lies now—it's the birthplace of both my husband and son, and it feels like Home.

I’ve also lived in places like Moldova, Vanuatu, and Myanmar, and visited over 40 countries in total. But these five places—Haiti, France, the U.S., the Dominican Republic, and Romania—are the ones that have truly shaped my identity. They are more than locations; they are part of who I am.

I am, at my core, a global citizen. A mosaic of cultures, languages, and experiences. My multi-origins define me, influence my choices, and shape my view of the world every single day. And while I may not have one simple answer to the question "Where are you from?" I’ve come to embrace the complexity. It’s who I am.

Sarah the Digital GypSea

Romania, June 2019