There are countless country songs that mention the woes, or strengths of small town life. Most of what they claim is pure fact. In the words of Mac McAnally, sung by well known country artist Kenny Chesney, "Some say it's a backward place, narrow minds on a narrow way...but thats where I come from." It's true that many small towns, especially the one I grew up in, is slightly close-minded and stuck in an era far behind the current one. As a teenager, learning new things, embracing new perspectives and becoming myself, I sometimes resented the small town life I lived. Some days were frustrating but most of the time I just accepted the character of my town and embraced the good parts. I am leaving for college in a little over a month. I've been telling anyone who would listen that I couldn't wait to get out of here, but I am definitely going to miss my small town. Here are five things that every small town resident will identify with, and things I am going to miss while I am away.

1. Friendly faces everywhere I go.

Wherever I go in or around Snow Hill, MD, I see several people whom I know. At the "Snow Hill Mall", (which consists of a pharmacy, Dollar General, pizza place, gas station and McDonalds situated in a run down plaza) I see the couple who got married right out of high school getting groceries. I see my best friend's mom getting gas. I see the old couple from church holding hands as they walk out of the pharmacy and I see several kids I graduated with working to save up to get out of this town, at least for a little while. Almost everyone I see greets me saying "Hi, how are ya" or "Hey sweet pea! How ya doin'?" I am going to miss the homey, loving vibe that radiates from the people "back home."

2. Nothing is open after 10 p.m., even on weekends.

I am only going to miss this because it contributes to the quiet serenity of my small town. I will not miss never being able to get something to eat on my way home from a night shift in Ocean City, MD. If I want a pizza, some ice cream or even a candy bar, I am straight out of luck. There isn't even an open vending machine.

3. The quirky events that bring the town to life.

In my humble small town, we celebrate the farms and wish them a bountiful harvest. We do this with an all day event we like to call "Blessing of the Combines." All of the local farmers parade their combines down the main route of town, park them on Green St. and wait to be blessed by a local religious affiliate. I can not tell you how many pictures I have of myself inside or next to a combine on this annual occasion. The local volunteer fire department also hosts an annual canoe joust. This event allows inebriated men and women to get in canoes in teams of three to battle. The player with the jousting stick must try to poke the opposing player off of the canoe and into the river. These events are huge and the whole town comes out to enjoy them. I'm going to miss my quirky small town.

4. There is never any traffic after 8 p.m.

The word "traffic" has a different connotation in a small town. It means that you have to wait for four or five cars to go ahead of you at the stop sign and that there might be a chicken truck or combine in front of you. The good news is that there will be no one on the road after 8 p.m. so it's smooth sailing in the 25 mph zone that is my town.

5. Everyone knows who you are.

This just means that you can not go anywhere without someone telling your mother, so don't even try to sneak out.

Life in a small town if fun, quirky and completely unlike anything else. There are some things that can not be forgiven, but this is the town that raised me. Enjoy the rich sunsets, roll down your windows and cruise down an old country road. I am definitely going to miss some things about Snow Hill while I'm away.