You know the saying "Everybody knows everybody?" That is so true in my sweet, little town. Belton, South Carolina has always meant so much to me. Belton is a place where you can walk in the ONE grocery store and see half your family, your church congregation, and your old school teachers. I'm really not kidding.

Most people complain about having only one grocery store but isn't that the beauty of a small town? I love telling people there's only one grocery and one "nice" sit down restaurant. Now it would be nice to have a grocery store to go to where you didn't have to crawl into the back of the milk section to find a non-out dated carton. Here is where all the Belton folks say "Amen!" Seriously, what fun would it be to live in a small town and have more than one grocery store? It would probably be fun for adults on a budget, but I think it's a great aspect of small town living.

Belton is the place where you see a caravan of strollers with sweet Mama's pushing their kids to the pre-school at the end of the road or simply enjoying a walk with friends. Honestly, I'm envious of those people because I can't wait to do that one day. It's also the place where you'll see golf carts (yes, golf carts) in every other parking spot at church because who wants to waste their car gas? It's the simple things like riding to church in a golf cart that makes life fun.

It's the place where you can gather at one of the churches on every corner and worship Jesus together. Belton First Baptist has been apart of my life ever since I was born. I was rocked in the nursery, taught Sunday School as a child, and taught so much more about Jesus in youth. That church will be the place I walk through those white doors, down the green (yes, green) carpet to say "I Do" and the place where my children will be brought up and taught about Jesus. I really love my church.

Football is life in Belton, let me tell ya. Every Friday night during the Fall, the whole town is gathered 10 minutes down the road at the high school cheering on the Bears. It's one of the best traditions where two towns gather together to celebrate one heck of a school. All praise and glory to thee.

Belton is also the place that when a family experiences unexpected loss, everyone comes together to support them and love them. It's happened so much in this sweet, little town but God has a plan for those families and for Belton and I can't wait to see that unfold.

This town means the world to me and I have loved the past 18 years and I can't wait for many more years to come because as they say "The best is yet to come!"