If you are anything like me, growing up in a country town was a complete love/hate relationship. Yes, sometimes it can be awesome having such a close-knit group of people, but there are also times when your town gives you a bunch of things to laugh about... or cry about.

1. Every 16-year-old guy drives what we like to call “yee yee” trucks

Why do the majority of high school dudes drive giant trucks for absolutely no purpose whatsoever? It's like their having a contest to see who can be the biggest tool. Congrats, you win.

2. Guys with their last name tattooed on their forearm

Let's be real, are you going to forget your name? And, if you don't know what I'm talking about... consider yourself lucky.

3. You know, knew, or were the person who drove a tractor to school

We don't drive cars, we drive tractors. Half the road is overrun with tractors anyway, so you might as well just drive it to school after you're done with the yard.

4. High school football games are a town event

Everyone and their entire family took up the stadiums at football games. If you weren't at the games, it's safe to say that you were also a hermit.

5. And at these football games, every teenager sneaks in with Four Loko’s in large fast food cups

Don't lie — everyone did it. If you weren't a cheerleader or a football player, you were probably sneaking around trying to drink. Even the marching band kids (yes, we see you).

6. Everyone knows everyone and there are no secrets

This can be a good thing on occasion, but usually, it means someone's mom was gossiping and spilled all your dirty laundry when she saw her "good friend" at Dollar General the other day. Now everyone knows how you hooked up with your best friend's boyfriend in the back of his pickup.

7. Your best friend is probably your cousin

How is it that everyone is related around here?! This can be fun though — what could be better than having a best friend who you're also related to?

8. When the majority of people have the same last name

Again, everyone is always related, which made things super confusing. They're usually a Ballew, Greene, Smith, Jones or even a Wilson.

9. When everyone has either dated or hooked up with the same people

This was always my favorite thing to observe when living in a small town. You "date" someone for a week, then they date your friend, then someone else in your group of friends and before you know it you're playing a game of musical boyfriends. Who will get him next?

10. Teachers kids are always the most annoying or the worst influences

A teacher's kid is either stuck up or one of the worst influences. I knew one who thought she was better than everyone else, and there was also a boy who stayed high and drunk during school. It goes either way.

11. Speaking of bad influences, watch out for the preacher's daughter/son

Need I say more for this one?

12. There is a church on every corner

And on each side of the street, and hidden away on back roads, and sometimes right beside one another! It is what it is... We love it.

12. Main hangout spots: gas station, fast food joint or the school student parking lot

Because they're the only places that stay open past 11 p.m. and what else is there to do?

13. Everyone has the “who’s truck is the dirtiest” competition

Let's go muddin' everyone! It's great! All you do is drive through some mud and yell "yee-haw." The dirtier you get, the better.

14. If you didn’t wear camo, you were outcast

I can say with no shame that I not only own a camo shirt, but also a hat. There's no shame in my redneck game.

15. All guys that think they're a mechanic drive a 1999 Honda Civic

Not to mention, it's always a run down civic that has the loudest muffler for literally no other reason than to be annoying. You're not hood... You're just a hick boy with an ugly car.

16. There are cows or chickens in everyone's yard

Even if you only have one acre of land, or don't even have a farm, you have to have a chicken or two. It's basically the law. And, if you have horses or cows, you know you hit the jackpot.

17. If you wanted to go to the mall, it is at least a 20-minute drive

The mall? Civilization? What is that? Good luck getting there if you're under 16 and can't drive. Anywhere that is even halfway interesting is a long drive from your town.

18. Your next door neighbor probably sells drugs

The only thing to do in this small town is drink or do drugs, right? Wrong, but it doesn't stop most people from being addicted to something. You wonder why your neighbor always has random cars over for short periods of time? That's why.

19. Trying to explain where you’re from

This is the worst. I get asked all the time where I'm from, and when I say "Landrum" they're dumbfounded because no one knows what that is. I have to name the next closest big city. It's fun. Always a good laugh when I say I'm from a small town — not.

20. The old guy sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch is probably a millionaire

No lie, these guys are always the sweetest, nicest, most adorable guys out there. From the look of them, they seem like your average small-town fella, but hidden under his couch he could probably buy off the whole town or more if he wanted to.

21. Through all the bad, everyone is basically one big family and that's awesome

The best part about a small town is that everyone is so close. Yes, sometimes it isn't as fun, but at the end of the day it's nice to have the bond between everyone. I will always love my small town through the good and the bad.