Recently I moved away from my small town to attend college. Even though I love my university (Go Gamecocks) I knew it would never be my home. I tell my friends whenever they fill me in on the hometown drama, “and that’s why I got out of there,” but in reality I’m secretly jealous. Sure living in a place where everyone knows everything is annoying at times, but at the same time it makes the town closer. When you do something amazing, you have so many people there to congratulate you. When you slip up, you have people there to keep you in line. Most importantly, when you are down, your town pulls you up. When a tragedy happens, we don’t just watch the news and go about our days since it “doesn’t concern us.” When tragedy strikes in a small town, its personal. When one person hurts, the town hurts.
Call me crazy, but there’s something invigorating about living in a small town. I love going to my nephew's little league games to see the siblings of kids I graduated high school with on the same team. I love that my kindergarten teacher not only remembers me but my dad as well. I love that the neighborhood I live in is mostly my relatives. I love having everyone tell me they remember when my parents first got married, and I love being told I look like my mother by random people at the convenience store.
They say life is slower in a small town, but how can that be bad? Life is quick. We hear that ever too often, so should I blame my small town for wanting me to enjoy the little things life has to offer? I’m proud to say that growing up outside of city life taught me the bigger picture. It taught me to make my own fun, that sometimes being with your family is enough, and that making relationships with the people around you is something that doesn’t fade quickly. My town may not have many restaurants or places to shop, but it has character, history, and most importantly love.
My town taught me it's okay to leave. It’s okay to grow out of it and move on to bigger things. But it told me that whenever I decide to return, my spot will still be there. I will still be a part of it as long as it’s a part of me. You may can take me out of my town, but because of it I am me.
My town has no red lights. Not because it is too small for intersections, or because there is no need for them, but because it doesn’t want to stop me from going forward. I like to think my town is constant, never changing, and full of traditions, but that I am the one evolving and changing. But don’t worry, I'll be back.
