Some of us come from the cities, some of us come from mid-sized suburbs, and some of us come from really small towns.

The population seems to consistently stick around 2,000 people –– and you know it's around 2,000 people because you recognize all old faces and can pick out any new ones. If a new kid arrives comes into the school, it's immediately noticed by everyone else, so if you were hoping to come in unnoticed, it won't be possible. Kids claim they can't wait to get out, yet once they leave –– if they get to –– they always seem to come back. The reason behind this? The roots of your small town grow in you as you grow up, pulling at your heartstrings and making you miss it when you're gone, even if it is only for a little bit.

Leaving for college is always an adventure. You're excited to get out of your small town and away from everyone knowing all your business all the time. Going from a small town to a big college is almost like a sort of culture shock experience, just because now there is SO much to do, SO many people to meet, and just SO much more in the general world than you knew about.

You're excited for all the adventures you'll take, the new friends you'll make, and the idea of getting to operate without feeling like you're under the magnifying glass of others all the time. It's all big and new, and despite your reluctance to admit that you will never miss anything about the small town you came from, you can't help but have brief periods of nostalgia.

You may not miss the rumor mill and all the gossip that seemed to spread within thirty seconds, but you will miss knowing everyone and knowing you. Seeing so many faces and being unfamiliar with the majority of them after knowing everyone for so long sort of bothers you.

Of course, you wish you knew everyone and would love to get to know all of your classmates, but it's just not possible in a 300 person lecture hall. It was always nice being able to wave at anyone you wanted and getting to catch up with people you hadn't gotten to talk to in awhile right in the middle of the grocery store.

Knowing everyone in town also came with the benefit that if you messed with one of us, you messed with all of us. Growing up in a small town is almost the equivalent of having a small army behind you should something go wrong. You know that should someone try to come in and knock you or your school, there are around 1,999 other people who would just as readily defend your points as you.

If you needed help, there was always someone to turn to. If you needed advice, there was always someone to turn to. Never would you have to worry about being cautious of anyone in town or locking your doors at night because you know everyone, so you also know that no one in this small town would intrude. There is an undeniable sense of community and connection.

Growing up in a small town also gave you the ability to think outside the box and get creative. How so? Well, there's never anything to do in a small town. Even if you went for a drive, it would probably take five minutes to cover most of the town.

There's a few small pizza places, a coffee shop, and a convenience store, all of which get boring since you've already gone probably three times this week. You would find your fun in other things, such as waterfall jumping, hiking in the next town over, bonfires, and more. If you wanted something to do, you better think of something yourself, because it won't just fall into your lap.

However, Friday fall nights there was always one place that everyone was at –– football games. It seemed like the whole town would come out to support the team, no matter the outcome of the game. Everyone cheered on the great plays and booed for the bad calls. The same was the case for the basketball team. Afterward, the Steak N' Shake or Buffalo Wild Wings thirty minutes away were the hang out spots. You could always count on seeing someone you knew there after the games.

Finally, it seemed like it wasn't just your parents who were raising you as you raced through middle school and high school. The whole town played a part –– the teachers, community members, mentors, classmates, and coaches. You could go to any of your teachers in the school and they know you by name, willing to help you in whatever way they can. They'll go out of their way for you, which is something you don't always get in high school and especially not in college. It's something you always truly appreciate until you're gone.

The community members keep you in line because you know that they will always be looking out for your best interest, just like your parents. Your classmates encourage you and help you shape your view of the world. Your coaches teach you how to work hard and will become some of your biggest advocates.

They pushed you to be better at all times and gave you lessons on life along the way. Your entire town and where you grew up played a large role in who you became. They watered the leaves once you got your roots planted in the town.

As much as many of small-town kids complain about the small town life, there is so much to be said on how much it impacts your life. There is always an underlying appreciation for where you grew up. There are always going to be parts you miss. No matter where you go from there or what you do, there will always be the roots of your small town planted right in your heart, and in the end, you're perfectly content with them remaining there for good.