I'm very fortunate to call the small town of Rogersville my home. The small town life can certainly be a blessing and a curse. But there truly isn't anything like it. Here are a few things that only small town "folks" can understand.
1. There are more cows than people.
The human population in my hometown is about 2,000... The cattle population is at least double the size.
2. Everybody knows everybody.
A trip to the grocery store turns into an all-day adventure because you run into your friends from high school, your mom's friends from high school and someone who worked with your grandma at Kmart. In small towns, it's hard to go out of your house without seeing someone you know.
3. And because of this, word travels fast.
Don't even try hiding anything from your mama. Small town people love their gossip. If someone knows, everyone will know in a matter of days. Make a bad test grade? Your dad's best friends with the teacher. Sneak out after curfew with some friends? They will end up telling someone who will then tell someone else.
4. Friday nights are reserved for football games.
The whole town is shut down on Friday nights. If you made the football team, you were an instant local celebrity... Especially if you start. Football is the perfect opportunity for the community to come together and show some school spirit for their alma mater.
5. And Sunday mornings are reserved for church.
It doesn't matter how late you were out on Saturday night—you better be in church on Sunday morning. Especially in my community, there is a church around every corner. No matter the size, every pew is full come Sunday. After church, everyone gathers at the town's favorite restaurant to mingle. It's a weekly ritual and pretty much everyone participates.
6. Hardly anyone outside the county knows where you're from.
I attend college an hour away from my hometown and some people have never heard of Rogersville. Or if they have, it's because they saw the sign on the interstate. Small town people find it's easier to describe their hometowns by saying, "It's about 30 minutes from ___."
7. You've been in the town newspaper at least once in your life.
Some time or another, you've been on the front page of that small town newspaper. When you're a kid, it's the gateway to local stardom. As you get older, it becomes a regular thing. Especially if you participate in local sports and clubs.
8. Driving down back roads is considered entertainment.
The country music lyrics don't lie to you. With lack of entertainment, it's hard to find something to do that doesn't require driving an hour away to a neighboring city. Small town people make their own fun. Some of my favorite memories from high school is driving through town and on back roads, blaring music and singing to the top of my lungs with my friends.
9. The Walmart parking lot is an acceptable place to hang out.
I know, it sounds a bit strange. But without trendy restaurants for miles or shopping malls, it's hard to find a place to hang out with your friends without the parents around. The simple answer was to open up the truck beds in Walmart's parking lot and have everyone gather around.
10. You've had the same friend group since preschool.
I've known my very best friend since birth, and my other friends since at least preschool. I went to preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school with the same class of students. Small towns build close bonds from the beginning. These types of friendships last a lifetime.
11. No matter where life takes you, it will always be your favorite place in the world.
My dream is to travel with my job, whether it's Florida or California. However, no matter the distance, I will always make my way back to my hometown. I will always be a small town girl.
