Small town life isn't the way of life for everyone, but those of us who are from small towns know better than anyone that small towns have their ups and downs. We grow up longing to get out, but once we leave we immediately miss home.Here are some sure-fire signs that you are from a small town:
1. You are guaranteed to run into someone who knows you in Walmart.
Whether it be someone you went to high school with, your pediatrician, or your best friends mom, you can't make a trip to Walmart without bumping into someone you know. So much for dressing like a bum for a quick Walmart trip.
2. The whole town comes together in the face of a tragedy.
The year I graduated high school, a boy in my class became paralyzed from the neck down. The whole town came together in support, even created a Facebook page and we all wore pins for him on our graduation gowns. To this day, I still follow the Love for Logan Facebook page to stay updated.
3. You graduated high school with the same people you went to preschool with.
You remember people when they were in their awkward middle school phase, you watched them grow up, and now you see them on Facebook at their college of choice. Or at McDonald's working the drive thru.
4. Your teachers remember you 10 years down the road.
My mom still runs into her old teachers from high school every now and then. Not only do they remember who she is, they remember that one time she tried to skip school and got caught. You may not think your teachers are cool when you have them, but 10 years later you could almost be friends with them.
5. You live for festivals downtown.
In almost every small town there are at least three festivals a year, usually more. In my small town, this isn't just a place to look at art, it's something fun to do on the weekend, it's an excuse to wear that new sundress you just bought, and it's a place to showcase your town.
6. Football isn't just a sport.
It's a lifestyle. Football rivalries go way past the game that takes place on the field. Any ties you have with the rival school are broken during rivalry week. We small towns take our football seriously. Maybe because a scholarship to a big college may be someone's only chance of getting out of this small town.
7. Summers were spent outside.
Lemonade stands, bike rides, and playing in the sprinklers was how most kids in my small town spent their summers. The only time we weren't outside was when it was raining, and even then we may still be outside playing in the puddles.
8. We actually do just drive around for fun.
There's nothing else to do in a small town, once the bowling alleys close, or the movies get out, or if we just don't have any money. So we hop in our trucks or our jeeps and we just drive around. Usually, we'll hit some mud or some dirt before the night is over.
9. There's a dollar store on every corner.
Literally. Every corner. I think there's about eight in my town. Why we need 8 dollar stores, I don't think I'll ever know.
10. People never really know where you're from.
If you're from a small town, you've probably learned to tell people you're from the city closest to you. No one knows where little ole Pace, FL is, so when asked I just say I'm from Pensacola.
11. Your town might have something equivalent to the "Redneck Parade."
"Peanut festival." "Redneck parade." "Tractor festival." If your town has any equivalent of these events, you may just be from a small town.
12. You are eager to leave, but when you do you really can't help but miss home.
Living in a small town can drive you crazy, you can't wait to get out and join the city life. But once you leave, you find yourself missing those frequent Walmart run-ins with your old teachers, your towns crazy traditions, and the way your town can become your family and take care of you in the face of a tragedy. You don't get that stuff in the city.
