11 Things Only People Who Grew Up In A Small Town Understand

After making the move from a very small, southern town to a bigger city for college, I often find myself saying, "Well back in my hometown..." No matter how far away you go, small town roots stay with you. Here are 11 things that most people who grew up in small, southern town know about.

1. The love of sweet tea.

This is one of the things I miss most from home. Nothing tastes better than a glass of cold sweet tea, and I make sure that's the first thing I get on my weekend trips home.

2. Back roads and country music go hand-in-hand.

Driving in a bigger city is a huge adjustment for those who grew up with back roads. It's a difficult transition from the winding roads with hardly any traffic to four lanes during rush hour. It's always nice to roll down the windows, find a back road and blare the country music.

3. Attending small town festivals.

Benson is famous for Mule Days, and there's nothing like it in a bigger city. Nowhere else would it be acceptable to have horses, mules, golf carts and big trucks share the road for a whole weekend.

4. Actually knowing your neighbors.

In small towns, everyone knows their neighbors. They're the people you wave to in the morning when you leave your house, ask to borrow ice from and help with their yard work.

5. Friday night football is a big deal for everyone.

While Friday night football isn't an exclusively small town thing, it is a big deal for everyone instead of just the students. I can still remember the year our high school made it to the state playoffs, and everyone from our town was there to support our team!

6. Having personal relationships at the local Waffle House.

Waffle House was our go-to place after school events, football games, late night outings and before big tests. Since the town is so small, it was easy for us to get to know the people that worked there.

7. Having the same friends since third grade.

My best friend that came to Raleigh with me for college has been my friend since third grade, and people are always shocked to hear that. Since the population of the town is small, most students end up going through elementary, middle and high school with the same people every year.

8. Experiencing small-town gossip.

The stereotype of small town gossip is definitely true. When everyone knows everyone, it's really easy to discuss the newest scandal or event that happened in town that week.

9. Somehow being related to everyone you meet.

My family isn't from the town I grew up in, but so many of my friends had hundreds of relatives living in the same town. It seemed like they were related to everyone in some way

10. Not using a “g” on the end of words.

Thick southern accents are common in a small town. So, "I'm going fishing," is actually pronounced, "Imma go fishin'."

11. Bonfires with friends.

Late night bonfires with friends are some of the best high school memories I have, and since we live in the country, there was always space to have huge blazing bonfires!