Little Big Towns—no, not the band, sorry—are everywhere, especially in the Midwest. They're decently sized, but everything about it just screams tight-knit communities that are usually found where the population doesn't exceed 10,000.
1. You can't go to the store without seeing someone you went to school with.
You could've graduated in 2018 or 1970–if you're living there long enough, everywhere you turn will have someone who stood behind you during the graduation ceremony. It's kind of nice that we kind of keep in touch, but also, you don't really want the head cheerleader seeing you in sweatpants and slippers.
2. Night entertainment includes going to the 24-hour Walmart
There's not much to do in your town that is open after 10 pm, so what better place to get your kicks than your very own Walmart? Yeah, we know, lame. But what else can you do? Everything else is closed!
3. Your grandmother was probably friends with your second-grade teacher's mother's friend, and they will tell you that
"Oh, you had Miss Harris? My best friend from preschool was her mother's cousin's brother! Small world!" Uh, yep. Somehow, everyone knows everyone else and their entire families.
4. Guys who graduated 3 years ago still come to the high school football games
These guys can't cope with the fact that they peaked in high school and it's only downhill from here, so they go to the football games in the fields in which they once used to play. It would be kind of cute and nostalgic if they weren't there every single weekend and definitely checking out one of the senior girls.
5. There is some kind of restaurant/bakery that is specific to that town
"Oh my god, you've never had Carrie's Cookies?!" Well, no, I'm not from around here. In my own town, we have the infamous Bill's Donuts, but you can only get it here. It's something that everyone has had and is often a staple amongst the people who have lived there their entire lives.
6. It feels like everyone comes back after college
Sad for some, but sweet for others. In a Little Big Town, most of your graduating class will probably come back to your town and settle down with their spouse and kids. Sure, it's a nice little place, but does everyone really have dreams of returning to suburbia?
7. High school football is a much bigger deal than it needs to be
Yeah, they haven't made it to the high school playoffs since 1976, but hey, it's Friday night entertainment! If it seems like 90% of school funds go towards the football program rather than getting new textbooks, you probably live in a Little Big Town.
Being in a city that is pretty big but feels so small can be a blessing in disguise. You'll miss the closeness of everyone once you leave--that is, if you leave. You never really know in a Little Big Town.
