My niece and nephew have kept me in my home city. They're also why I'm deciding to leave.

Since moving back to St.

Louis, I've become very close with my niece and nephew.

Ashli Pollard Five years ago, I moved back to my hometown of St.

Louis with plans to return to New York City.

However, I've become very close with my niece and nephew — and that love has kept me here.

Now, I'm realizing that leaving might teach them to take risks and follow their dreams.

As soon as I walk into my sister's house, my 1-year-old niece strikes the perfect "Home Alone" face and shrieks in delight.

She races into my arms and I pick her up, both of us touching noses and smiling.

I hear my 5-year-old nephew call out my name from the living room, and I walk over to find him stomping around like a dinosaur.

I ask what he is today, and he growls, "I'm a T. rex!" I melt at the indescribable amount of joy they both bring me.

I'm so grateful I live a short 15-minute drive from them in St.

Louis, where I was born and raised.

But it's not where I want to stay.

I never wanted to live here long-term, but then my sister had kids I love playing games and building blanket forts with my niece and my nephew.