I was born in Asheville and have grown up nearby in the twenty years following. Mountain horizons, the Biltmore Estate, picnics off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, sweet tea, and southern-hippie street festivals are all I know.

And now I’ll be off to Virginia Beach for my junior year of college next August.

I keep wondering what it will be like to see Asheville in my rearview mirror then, and it sort of surprised me when I first realized it would be an emotional occasion. Like so many other young Ashevillians, I thought for most of my life that I was sick or even embarrassed of this place and couldn’t wait to grow up and move on somewhere else; but while I’m excited to branch out in the world, I can see now that I have been shaped by this side of Western North Carolina more than I will know for a long, long time.

Asheville has a way of doing that to you, even if you’re just passing through. How couldn’t it? Starting in the late 1700s, Asheville has become home to wandering settlers from all corners of the United States – maybe even the whole world. Its eclectic mountain culture has continued to entrance and influence generation after generation since then.

The thing about Asheville is that there is something for everyone to identify with; and at the same time, you might find yourself being coaxed out of your comfort zone wherever you turn.

“Ash-vegas” values both progress and tradition, peace and passion, community and individualism. You’re likely to see a vibrant church on one corner and a thriving brewery on the next. You never know what will warrant the next public protest, and it’s never uncommon to see a person on the side of the road doing or wearing something that either nauseates you or makes you throw your head back and laugh. Really – you won’t be here for long before you utter the phrase, “Only in Asheville…” once or twice.

I appreciate the unique because of Asheville.

I am multifaceted and well-versed in societal and cultural contrasts because of Asheville.

I am strengthened in and practiced in the defense of my spiritual beliefs because of Asheville.

I am experienced in poverty and appreciative of prosperity because of Asheville.

I know the value of both diversity and unity because of Asheville.

I could never say that we don’t get it wrong from time to time or that we aren’t currently struggling in many ways, and I won’t pretend that there aren’t times where I grieve over certain ideals or actions of the majority of the people who live here – but what I can’t deny is that they certainly know how to live.

Asheville really does have its own heartbeat. And I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for being raised in and by it.