"Well, I've lived in the same small town for my entire life.."

This is probably the fact I most often share with people who I am just getting to know. For a long time, I didn't love that that fact was a defining characteristic of my life. The answer sounded to me like I had grown up in a sheltered and boring way, especially growing up in a place like Carrollton, GA.

Carrollton is an interesting place. Caught an hour between Alabama and Atlanta, it has a strange mix of city and country cultures, all connected by the square downtown and a path called the Greenbelt. You can get most anywhere in 15 minutes as long as the traffic isn't too bad. I used to get sick of Carrollton, of the lack of fancy restaurants and the small town gossip and the same old routine that everyone sticks to. But through these last years, I've found a new and much better perspective for my little hometown.

This perspective wasn't something that I mustered up, but something that grew as the town itself grew. If you live in Carrollton, you may have noticed about five years ago when things really started picking up. We got an Olive Garden and a remodeled Kroger, and maybe this wasn't the case for you, but I had a mini celebration every time we passed by those new buildings, because it was the biggest change I had ever seen in my community. So as you can tell, not much usually changes...

This is where my love for Carrollton began, but it has grown since then. I am thankful for some bigger restaurants, the expansion of highway 27, and our huge Kroger, because they have allowed our town to grow and at least feel bigger to those of us who live here. But these changes have also allowed for small businesses to truly thrive. With larger businesses coming to Carrollton, I found myself paying less attention to them and more attention to the tiny shops and restaurants that truly create Carrollton's charm. Then came The Amp, an outdoor amphitheater built right off of the square downtown. Concerts are held throughout the year there, and it thrives during the summer. The first couple of times I went to The Amp I truly felt connected to my town and my community. The next defining feature that I mentioned earlier, the Greenbelt, is a beautiful bike path that runs through nearly the whole town, and has become a go to for so many in Carrollton who love biking and running, hammocking, walking, or just enjoying the outside. Both the Greenbelt and the Amp are guaranteed places to see people that you know and to meet those that you don't, to build a greater sense of community. Going to places like the Highland Deli, our amazing Chick-Fila-A, our community of churches and schools and CHS football games and Marathon ice cream runs and sunsets from the top of the parking deck. These are the things that I truly love about Carrollton. The way I've watched growth slowly take place, but felt the love of my community every day.

This is one way that I'm learning to cope with saying goodbye in a month and a half. I'll be moving to another amazing community, but it won't be Carrollton. This adjustment will be hard, but I am so thankful that I'm who I am today because of my home, no matter how tiny it may be, or how much it drives people crazy. Love your small town.