1. First things first.
Dyersburg is not Dyersburg without El P. Many people would argue that this is the most important place in our little town. (I'm one of those people.) It's 100 percent acceptable to eat El Patio for all three meals, multiple days in a row. Admit it, you've done it. We all have, and there's no shame. Out-of-towners don't get it, they say it's "just Mexican food"! Their loss... more chicken fajita bowls for me.
2. Showing livestock is like a sport here.
This is another one of those things that we grew up thinking was completely normal...but apparently is really weird. When I proudly tell my out of town friends that I showed sheep in high school, they stare at me with a confused look, almost waiting for me to say I'm kidding. If you weren't one that showed sheep- you definitely had friends that did, and you probably watched a few of their shows. (Quick shoutout to FFA for these interesting opportunities.)
3. It's not a big deal if your friends don't answer your texts/calls.
It's more like a challenge to see which parking lot they're in at the moment. First, you can check the Java Cafe parking lot, (that was the hot spot for my friends & I.) If they aren't there, your next stop is the mall. Still can't find them? Gotta be at Walmart.
4. We spend all of our money on gas and food.
If you're from Dyersburg, you find yourself pumping gas... a lot. Not because we have to drive great distances to get somewhere, but because we drive since there's nothing else to do. Whether we're driving back and forth on the same road, or we're going to Sonic for the 4th time in one day, "riding around" is not just a phrase in our city, it's a plan.
5. You don't make Friday night plans.
The reason that you don't make plans on Friday nights is because you already have them. The whole city gathers in one place- that place being the J.C. Sawyer Stadium. Whether you're on the field, cheering from the sidelines, playing in the band, or sitting in the stands, you're a part of the Trojan family and you bleed black and gold.
6. Some of the best memories you have were made riding backroads.
A country song about backroads can come to life in Dyersburg. We have plenty of them! It's hard to explain how riding backroads can be so meaningful, but there's something about how dark and quiet the night is and the thousands of stars you see when you look up. Some of my very best conversations took place here, along with tears, and also with some of my longest laughs.
7. There's no such thing as a secret.
This is a tell-all town; nothing goes unknown. We all know this, so we're somewhat cautious of our actions. Long story short, if you don't want someone to know, don't tell do it. Like it or not, small town fame is real. It's up to you to decide what you're remembered for.
8. If you stop to look around, it's simply beautiful.
Sure, we admit that there's not much to do here, but we would be lying if we said that it wasn't a beautiful place. We have the bluff that looks over all of Lenox, countless fields that hold unreal sunsets, and the Mississippi River at our fingertips.
9. No unfamiliar faces.
Another thing you know if you're from Dyersburg is... everyone. It's true, you can't go anywhere without knowing almost every face you see. It's not just that type of knowing someone where you know their name- no no. You may not know them personally, but you know their name, where they live, their families, where they go to church, what they drive, etc. It's that stalk-ish type of knowing someone, but in a town like this, you can't help it.
10. We take it for granted.
I'm going to swallow my pride before this last one. I admit, I was the person who said I couldn't wait to get out of here, was never coming back, and who knows what else. I took advantage of leaving the first chance I got. When college came around, I decided to go a little further away than my friends, and came home 2 or 3 times that year. I don't regret leaving because I grew tremendously, but I've now realized that nothing can ever take the place of where you grew up, no matter how hard you try to replace it. You can buy a house and move all your things to a new city, and you can even love it there, but Dyersburg will always be the place that holds your dearest memories, and it will always be your home.
