Growing up in a small town was never something I wanted to do. The city was everything to me. Nothing was better than the hustle and bustle, or the thought of thousands of people living different lives.

It’s because of this that I never anticipated moving to the middle of nowhere where the smell of cow manure was analogous with money. The town I was moving to didn’t even have a Walmart, yet it was about to have me, a big city girl.

When most people write about living in a small town it’s usually all good. They love every aspect of the small-town community…I don’t know how. Don’t get me wrong. Living in a small town has its perks.

If you talk to someone living in a small town they’re 100% likely to say, “Everyone in town knows everyone.” You run into teachers at the grocery store, you’re likely to serve friends at your job, and EVERYONE knows your business.

Gossip spreads faster than germs in a kindergarten classroom, rumors do too. For example, I could walk into the grocery store with my best guy friend to grab some snacks, and half the town would say we were holding hands…we probably started dating, and yes, we were sleeping together.

WOW. That escalated quickly! Oh the things that get said in a small town.

Now imagine this mindset at a high school, it’s not easy to put up with…but what does make it easy? The love.

This “everyone knows everyone” mindset can be a phenomenal thing. Are you in trouble? In need of some help? Do you need recommendations? Or do you just need someone to loan you some sugar for your cake? Chances are someone will aid you, even without you having to ask.

People in a small town see you grow up and blossom into wonderful people. They reflect on their lives at your age, and may even live vicariously through you. It’s the circle of life.

Small towns may be small, but everything’s bigger. Football, band, UIL, whatever the case, it’s bigger and better. You may have gone through some drama, lost your friends and found new ones, but at the end of the day that rural cow manured town holds a whole lot of memories.

Somedays I hate living in my tiny two-person town (just kidding it’s not that small), but other days I couldn’t be more thankful. I’d be a different person if I stayed the city girl I was six years ago.

A small town can be great, but it certainly isn’t for everyone. However, don’t knock it until you try it…and that’s my honest opinion.