Dear Smithville,

I wasn't born anywhere near you, nor did I live my first breaths there, but you were my home for a very long time. I remember moving there during my first grade year of school. Moving wasn't really much to me then. There were many people there that had been there way longer than me, but they were there for the same reason I wished I was still there.

The small town feel is what I miss the most. Everyone knew most of the town and it wasn't hard to find places. I may have not been friends with everyone in my school or my grade level, but I knew everyone's names and faces. The school was too small to not notice every person. I haven't lived in Smithville in about three years, but I still consider the beautiful town my home.

If you went to school with me, yes, I lived in West Virginia for a few months, but I moved back to a bigger town in Texas. I now go to college at Lamar for theatre. I found my dream for theatre in Smithville. I'll never forget the friends I made and the lessons I learned from the director there. I brought all the love I had for the Playhouse to Lamar.

If you are looking for a small town in Texas semi close to Austin, Smithville is perfect for you. I was devastated when I had to move, but I learned that God was just continuing on his plan for me. Maybe someday, I will go back to Smithville, but for now, I will continue dreaming and going to school.

I am still talking to my close friends in Smithville too and they continue to support me and it's nice to still have someone from my hometown to sit and talk about how we are trying to "adult."

Jessie is probably the most important to me who has actually been with my longer than most of the people around me. I could never forget the people in Smithville or the beautiful surroundings. I can't wait to see you again, Smithville.

Love,

A former Smithvillian.