I am a 29-year-old Maine native who recently moved back to the state. The very week I returned, I saw Sebastian White’s op-ed, “Flip side to Maine’s brain-drain dilemma” (BDN, July 30), and had a sense of deja-vu, with a twist.

White is obviously a talented and thoughtful writer with deep affection and concern for his home. When I was 22, I shared many of the same feelings he has now, although I could not have articulated them as well. He is right that Maine isn’t for everyone, and if you have the opportunity and interest, you ought to explore the world beyond Maine’s borders.

Over the past decade I have lived in Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco and traveled around the world. I loved every minute of it, and I married a lovely Californian I met along the way. We’ve realized that Maine is without question the best place to settle and raise a family, and it is a great place to work. So we made the move.

Maine isn’t as dull and boring as it can seem when you’re growing up here, or when you’re just out of college; as we get older, our preferences can change.

So, I encourage White to enjoy Boston and explore his interests. Boston is a fantastic city. He may discover that he was meant for Boston, and Maine isn’t for him. But over time he may change his mind, and we would love to have him back.

Ben Tucker

Brunswick