1. Coming in as a freshman, you already knew everyone because you've been going to school with the same people since kindergarten.
You also know their parents, grandparents, where they live and their social security number.
2. Your parents had the same teachers when they went to high school.
"Oh, you look just like your dad! I remember when I had him in class back in the day!"
3. Getting stuck behind a tractor was a legitimate excuse for being late to school.
You just can't get around them on those narrow back roads.
4. You weren't cool if you didn't drive a truck.
It was a competition to see who had the best one in the parking lot.
5. The whole town was decorated with school colors.
The restaurants and gas stations proudly hung the football schedule on the doors. Every telephone pole was decorated with streamers and road signs welcomed visitors into the football stadium.
6. Everybody lived for Friday night lights.
The whole student body, along with the entire community, would pack the stands. You knew each and every player on the team personally, and every girl would sport a player's jersey. Home games were the best because you obviously had the best superfan section.
7. You had your locker rigged, so you didn't have to put in the combination.
You trusted no one would steal anything of yours, even if you had a candy stash on the top shelf.
8. Teachers would agree to having parties in class on Fridays just because you asked.
"If we get through all the lessons this week can we bring food for after our quiz?" This was always a definite yes.
9. You didn't have basement parties.
You and your friends had bonfires and hung out in barns.
10. You knew when opening day of hunting season was because half of the school was absent.
Even the principal was "out for the day."
11. "Drive your tractor to school day" was a real thing.
And it happened more than once a year.
12. The dating pool was extremely small.
Either a friend already dated them, or you're related to them.
13. Rumors spread like wildfire.
If someone told a friend a secret in first period, the whole school would know by third.
14. Even if you didn't live on a farm, you had at least one good pair of cowboy boots.
Jeans, boots and flannels were major staples of everybody's wardrobe.
15. You and your team had an inseparable bond.
From cheerleading to chorus to FFA, everyone had their place and loved it.
16. You couldn't wait to add all of your teachers on Facebook after you graduated.
You already knew they would accept your request.
17. You still keep in touch with all your friends.
No matter where life takes you, you always have your friends from high school to help you along the way.
