In light of our country's political climate during the past week or so, I have felt obligated to do a substantial amount of self-reflection to recap on everything that has brought me to this point in my life, and to review everything that has shaped me into who I am and what I stand for today. In doing so, I returned time and time again to the memories of where I grew up, prompting me to carefully take note of how that environment molded my character. In hindsight, I've attained a newfound appreciation for every experience provided to me, and as a result, I've decided to write a letter to the place where I was raised, a small country town of approximately four thousand people. To the place that characterized my upbringing, here's to you.

To My Hometown: Thank You

Thank you for the opportunities you were able to grant me, along with the other wide-eyed, driven individuals that you housed. Thank you for upholding a community and education system filled with a variety of arts, athletics, activities and academics. Despite being smaller than many, you offered me gateways into some of my passions, including music and languages. You offered incredible opportunities to not only prepare for, but also earn college credits early, jump-starting my college career before even leaving home. Thank you so much.

To My Hometown: I'm Proud of You

I'm proud of you for being passionate and spirited. I'm proud of you for being a town that values its people, their successes, and their beliefs. I'm proud that you are constantly looking towards the future and what you can do to make that brighter for everybody. You have been nothing but well-intentioned and focused on everyone's best interests. I'm proud of you for that.

To My Hometown: You Were Fun

From midnight drives down dirt roads to summers spent out on lakes, there truly isn't anything like growing up in a town pressed right up against nature. Some of my favorite memories come from the simplest of circumstances, or from spontaneous adventures. From trying to debunk a local ghostly legend, to playing guitar and singing under the moonlight on a lake shore, we created our own narratives here.

To My Hometown: You've Got Room To Grow

Upon returning to you to visit after venturing out to the real world, I came to the realization that you hadn't taught us enough of how to behave out in society. The world is a massive place, filled with individuals of so many different walks of life, individuals who our small town had very little experience with. Within minutes of my first arrival back, I was greeted with homophobic slurs shouted at me by a group of individuals in a fast food restaurant parking lot. In addition, during each return I can't help but notice each racist, homophobic, and discriminatory statement and action that occurs. I encourage you to focus on these issues. You posses so much love and compassion. Look outside yourself to start acknowledging what needs to change, and then please take the initiative to educate and fight against these acts of hate.

To my hometown: I miss you, I love you, and I believe in you.