To my small town,

I've grown up here. The kids that will stand to my left and right on my graduation day are the same kids I fought over Play-Do with back in 1st grade. I walked the same route every day of my life to and from school. I've watched the single restaurant change owners multiple times. You, along with all the other citizens, have seen me grow up.

Small towns used to bother me; with small towns comes small-minded people, and I was never one with small dreams. I always wanted to leave this town -- it made me feel limited, and I wanted to see what the 'real-world' has to offer. But you have shown me what the world has to offer me. You have shown me that being different and dreaming large makes me brilliant. You have shown me that small towns don't necessarily have 'small' opportunities. Small classes and constant "hello's" in the hallways aren't bad, but rather some of the highlights of living here. I realize now that growing up in a place where everybody knows everybody has shaped me into the girl I'm proud to be. I've become more accepting of people's differences (and their similarities!), more honest, and much more of a 'people person.' I will be forever grateful for the lessons you have taught me, and even more proud of where I came from.

Thank you for teaching me that childhood friends can be lifelong friends. Thank you for showing me that childhood friends don't have to be your lifelong friends -- and that's ok. Growing up is healthy and change can be good if you're open to new things. Thank you for teaching me the power of walking; my own two legs can take me anywhere I wish to go (and they did until I turned 17 and could finally drive to get coffee rather than walking the 3.5 miles). You forced me to communicate with people. I couldn't take a walk down the street without seeing someone I knew and waving hello. Yes, it can feel repetitive, but ultimately, I thank you for the way you taught me to treat adults with respect. Sometimes it can be inconvenient when I come home to my mom saying "So-and-so said they saw you getting coffee when you said you were studying," but those talks have made me more accountable than I ever thought I could be. My dad knows the senior drama before I do, and for some people, that can be bizarre. I, personally, wouldn't have it any other way.

When looking back on my middle school (and even early high school) years, I don't have many regrets; I did things that made me happy and I stuck by what I truly believed in. The only advice I have for my younger self is to not take anything for granted. My whole underclassman career was spent counting down the days until graduation when I should have been enjoying the moments I had. Throughout the past 5 years, I've played 4 sports, attended 100+ varsity sports games, visited 8 cities in 3 different countries, and made countless friends. None of these would have been possible if I didn't grow up in my hometown. I took my small town for granted when, in reality, my town gave me memories that are going to last me a lifetime.

So no, we didn't always have a love affair, but I can now appreciate all the valuable lessons you have taught me. Every "hello" on my way to school and every run-in at the grocery store was a blessing in disguise, and I vow to never take any of it for granted anymore. Without my childhood, I would not be the same girl I am today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for raising me and teaching me how to be unapologetically me.