Where you grow up is the one of the biggest aspects of your life. It defines you and makes you who you are. Growing up in a small town that maybe a total of 5 people have heard of, has definitely impacted my life. A town where there was no downtown because it was simply too small to be able to have one. A town where you reached the "Now Leaving" sign, almost as soon as you entered the "Welcome" sign. And a town where everybody's life's intertwined through the same daily routines. If you're from a town anything like mine, then this list will probably sound very familiar to you!
1. Everyone knows everyone on a first name basis.
Expect to see at least every person you know when you go out for a quick trip to the grocery store. I don't know of one time I have gone in to town and haven't seen someone I know.
2. Nothing you do goes unknown.
Expect for everything you do or say to be known and spread through town within five minutes of it happening.
3. With that being said, you had a town crier.
There was always that one person that knew everything. If there was gossip, you could guarantee they would know about it before anyone else. You always went to them to get the latest scoop on practically everything.
They probably knew things about you, before you even knew about it.
4. "Cutting Town" was a daily ritual.
If you didn't "cut town" that day, did you even do anything?
5. The local "hangout" was the grocery store parking lot.
Seriously though, everyone knew never to park in the left hand side of the parking lot unless you were there to talk and hang out for probably 5 hours straight.
6. There Was only One or Two Restaurants Everyone Cared About (and they were a MUST)
Forget Chipotle, Chili's, Chick-Fil-A, and everything else. When it came to food, there was only two places to go. They may look sketchy on the outside, but their food was incomparable and hands down your favorite place.
7. Anything besides the local grocery and dollar store is unheard of.
Malls? Chain retail stores/restaurants? Anything???
8. Your Family Doctor was also your grandma's, cousin's, aunt's, daughter's doctor.
In other words, filling out a "family history" paper was pointless. They already knew everyone in your family and probably knew your family history better than you did (They were more than likely there when you were born).
9. Church on Sunday was a must.
If you didn't go to church, you could expect several phone calls, and maybe even a few pop-up visits from concerned church members wanting to know why you weren't in attendance at the morning service.
10. You Have a love/hate relationship with your town.
You hate it because it's so small, boring, and there is nothing to do there. You can't wait to leave and once you finally do (if you do), you couldn't be happier. Yet, you always seem to have a soft spot for your town and randomly visit just to check in because let's face it, everything in a small town is so much simpler. Life is easier. You wouldn't change where you came from and secretly, you are glad you grew up in a small town.
