Since I have moved back home for the summer, I have realized just how small the town I live in is, especially after talking to people who come from cities or more urban areas. There are many positives as well as negatives to living in a small town.

It definitely isn’t great that I have to drive at least half an hour to get anywhere close to decent stores to shop at, and that may sound petty but there is truly no place to shop in a small town.

One of the few decent places to buy clothes at is now going out of business, and I am losing the first job I ever had.

The places to eat are very limited, and any type of “fancy dining” will require somewhat of a road trip to get what you’re looking for. But with that being said, I do still love the local restaurants that keep this town running. Twin Kiss ice cream is something I’ve been looking forward to since winter.

Another positive (and negative) is that everyone knows each other. I can’t leave my house without running into someone I know from high school or church, or any other activity I have been involved in in the past.

When I’m at work, I almost always see people I know.

Going to a small, one-county high school means that everybody knows everybody’s business, whether or not it’s true.

But on the other hand, it’s nice to have gone to a school where most people can walk through the hallway and see so many of their friends.

I am often surprised to hear about other high schools that people have gone to when I talk to other students at college.

I have realized that I definitely did not go to the best high school, but my education has gotten me this far in my life and it will continue to grow. So I am thankful for what my teachers have provided me with up until this point.

Bigger towns and cities don’t know what it’s like to have to pass the Amish buggies on the road, or what it’s like to go to a farmer’s market Wednesday mornings in the summer.

They probably haven’t experienced home-made whoopie pies or what it’s like to have your dad coach your soccer team up until sixth grade, even though he never played the sport in his life.

Sometimes thinking about the simple, small background I came from is comforting when things seem to be getting crazy.

I can remember where I came from and know that it is okay to move on to something else because my town will always be there for me to come back to.

Although I don’t plan to stay here for the rest of my life, this town has raised me to become the person I am today, and I am so thankful for all of the experiences and memories it has given me.