When I was younger, I dreamed of things outside of Iowa. I wanted new experiences, new people, new sights. As I grew older and it came time to go to college, I decided to stay in Iowa. Iowa is home, it's where my family is, and the people here are truly amazing. Now almost halfway done with my second year at college, I look back and think about how truly spoiled I was to grow up in such an amazing community. It was a place where every Friday night 3/4 the town would be up at the high school football game, a place where you could go to the local diner on a Sunday morning after church and hear the latest gossip, a place where gravel roads surrounded the few cement roads in the county. Growing up in small town Iowa, we never consider ourselves spoiled, but when you think about it, we are and heres why.
We are spoiled because we know everyone, and they know us. We can drive to the local Fareway or to Walmart 20 miles away and run into our 1st grade teacher or our basketball coach and have a truly meaningful conversation with them. Every time you hop in your car or go on a walk around town, you can expect a friendly smile and wave from almost everyone you meet.
We are spoiled because we have no traffic, and when we get stuck behind a tractor — we are OKAY with it. Those 2 stop lights that are the only thing between you getting to school on time have nothing on you due to the minimal traffic in town at 8 a.m. on a Wednesday, or like ever.
We are spoiled because whenever we need a helping hand, our neighbors, our mayor, and our whole community will be right there for us. Whether you need help with a field getting harvested, selling a Casey's pizza card for a sports team, or help trying to get an event planned, you can expect support and help with whatever you do.
We are spoiled because we know how to enjoy the little things in life. We don't need the fast-paced city life,the newest designer bag, or a vacation to Paris. We're perfectly content with how things are going here in our little town.
We are spoiled because we were taught amazing values. Everyone says Iowan's are some of the nicest people, and you can thank us small towners for that. Since day one we are taught to be helpful, kind, accepting, humble and the list can keep going.
We are spoiled because we know what a sense of community really feels like. You can look in the stands on any Friday at a football game or during an occasional state appearance and see easily 3/4 of the town supporting. Nothing is better than looking up and seeing all of those faces and knowing that they are there supporting you and your teammates.
We are spoiled because no matter where we go in life, our little town in Iowa will welcome us back with open arms whenever. The people in town are just like family and they continuously wish you nothing but the best.
My small town in Iowa may not be my home in the future, but it will forever hold a special place in my heart. So here is a thank you, not only to my small town, but to all Iowa small towns- Thank you for the smiles, for the waves, and mostly, for the love.
