Right before high school, I moved from a fairly large city to a small rural town. Though I had many memories in my old town, living in rural Wisconsin has taught me to try new things, not to be scared to get your hands dirty, and making me thankful for everyone and everything that I have. Since living here, I will never forget the memories I have made, and if you're curious, here's why I think Southwest Wisconsin has some of the best kids around.

1. Everyone knows everyone.

When I moved into my small town, word traveled very fast that there was a new kid on the block. I walked into my new school and everyone already knew my name, where I moved from, what car I drove, and where I lived before I could even say so. Everyone had already followed me and added me as a friend on every possible social media platform. From there, everyone from the next town over, and then the next one, all knew who I was. It was only a matter of hours before all of southwest Wisconsin knew your name. You never really feel alone!

2. We aren't afraid to 'get dirty'

No, this is not the dirty you are thinking of. These are farm kids we are talking about. We aren’t afraid to do some dirty work outside. Either a day in the field or just painting a room, we don’t care how clean we are by the time we are done, as long as it was a job well done. Plus, we go mudding, boating, swinging off ropes into the lakes, camping, bonfires, and so many more things we do to have fun around here. There isn’t much ‘clean fun’!

3. You know at least one person from the surrounding towns.

Since Southwest Wisconsin is such a rural area, and you have limited options in your town on who to hang out with. Plus, you most likely have a cousin or two in the next town over, and then you meet their friends, and then their friends of their friends, and so on. It’s only a matter of days before you know just about everyone and their brother. Friends everywhere!

4. We make our own fun.

With the nearest city almost an hour away, what we do for fun here is not as limited as you think. We usually spend our nights around the campfire, sharing an ice cream, or going to the state park. There are some nights where we are all over the place, going from town to town, or just to going a county away to get food. Then there are the other nights, where we just drive around town, windows down, country music up, and just enjoy each other’s company.

5. We are all family here.

People from southwest Wisconsin are some of the kindest, most honest, and down-to-earth people you will ever meet. They care about you like your family, and no matter where you go, end up doing, or who you become, you will always be welcomed back to southwest Wisco, and I have never been prouder to grow up in such a place.