Where you come from is a part of what makes you who you are. If you're anything like me, growing up in a small town was something that you never regret. No matter where you go in life, your childhood home will always feel like home. You’ll understand this feeling if you have grown up in a small town, here’s some signs:
1. Same Classmates, Different Year
In a small town, there aren’t very many schools to choose from so everyone goes to the same one. This makes it easy to know the familiar faces in your classes and even to pick your best friend. No matter who you go to school with, it rarely changes over the years. There is always someone you know in the other classes and the hallways are never dull with faces.
2. Back Roads are Main Roads
In a small town, everyone knows every road name and the quickest route to get from point A to B. There is one main street and it leads to the high school. This is the street you walk down if you are in a homecoming or Christmas parade. When you give someone directions, you use buildings as landmarks and everyone knows exactly where you are talking about.
3. Everyone is Related...Somehow
So I guess that’s not completely true, but you know at least a pair of siblings, cousins, grandchildren, etc. Even if everyone is not related, we all stick together and act like family and everyone knows everyone somehow.
4. 'Friday Night Lights' is REAL
If you have plans on friday nights in the fall, clear that schedule. Friday nights are dedicated to football. The town will come together, dressed head to toe in school colors, sharing the same dislike for the other team. These games get serious. There is always a group of students who yell chants and get the crowd to go wild. The stands shake when everyone’s feet stomp to the beat of the fight song. When there is a loss, the whole town takes it personally.
5. There is a Church On Every Corner
It doesn’t matter what back road you go down, there is always a church near by. Growing up in a small town, your parents take you to a church as a kid and you continue to go there from then on. You know familiar faces in the church and everyone knows you by “you’re so and so’s kid”.
6. Traditional Shops and Restaurants
There are always restaurants and shops that are locally owned and they seem better than anything else. The shops always have everything you're looking for and the prices vary depending on who your mother is. It’s always nice knowing the owner. The restaurants always taste better because you personally know the cooks and they know how to hook it up.
7. Breakups Aren’t Easy
It’s hard to break up in a small town because everyone is friends with everyone and you will end up seeing that person more than once. It’s hard to break up when you’re apart of the same friend group because there really isn’t many more friends to choose from. It also doesn't help that everyone dates everyone at some point.
8. Tragedy is Handled Together
Whenever a tragedy occurs, the whole town comes together as one. Whether it be a death, natural disaster, or even when someone is sick in the hospital, the town will always send prayers. When death hits in a small town, it isn’t just the family that is effected, the town will mourn as one. There is always a willing helping hand, making sure that everyone is doing alright.
Growing up in a small town has taught me how to be there for others, how to understand football, and that there is never a secret that won’t get out. The place you come from is a part of who you are and always will be.
