When I was younger, I thought every town in North Carolina was considered a small town. Little did I know I was wrong. I've lived my entire life in a town called Wake Forest, which is a town right outside busy downtown Raleigh. Growing up, I thought I'd always hate living and being from a small town.

However, I realized I was taking for granted all of the great things a small town had to offer. Without further ado, here are just a few reasons why I love my sweet little hometown of Wake Forest, N.C.

1. You relate to every song about being from a small town. You also know they don't call it "Small Town USA" for nothing.

2. "Everybody knows everybody" seems like an understatement.

3. You remember every detail about when the corner ice cream shop got bought out. Including where you were when you heard the news and exactly how upset everybody was.

4. Every Fourth of July as a kid was spent being in the children's parade on North Main Street in the Historic District.

5. Every Friday after school was spent at Shorty's playing pool and eating amazing hotdogs without question.

6. Your first ice cream choice these days is Lumpy's, and Buck knows you by name.

7. The center of Wake Forest is the seminary based on how people react to how big the buildings are.

8. Friday Night Lights at the Trentini stadium were a must for all high school students, whether you actually watched the game or not. I only paid attention to the half-time show.

9. Going to school in downtown Raleigh gives me the best of both worlds.

10. It feels good to come home to a slow moving town after a long semester or long day of work.

11. You meet some of the coolest people in downtown Wake Forest.

12. Everybody knows what you mean when you say the coffee shop. No it's not a Starbucks.

13. Wake Forest is an extremely ''artsy" town.

14. Everybody is passionate for the love of their hometown.