When people ask, "So, where are you from?" I laugh almost every time. Coming from a town of less than 2,500 people, it's a rarity when someone recognizes your town name. And when it is recognized, they immediately ask if you know 'so and so' because everyone knows everyone.
Small towns don't get enough credit. Growing up in a small town might seem boring, but it definitely has its perks.
From Friday night football games with your best friends to tractor-cades during first period, AKA parade of tractors during FFA week, I wouldn't trade anything for my town. My grandparents live a block away and most of my family live within a few minutes of our house. Your best friend lives down the street from you and you spend nearly 90 percent of your time together.
The problem is, I didn't realize how much I appreciated my little town and our community until I moved away from it. I took so much for granted.
Most of us, from what I know, were all raised pretty similarly. We all have similar morals and values. It seemed like a strong work ethic was a theme. I never questioned anyone really. I was very naive. I learned really quickly that I lived in a bubble. In fact, the large majority of people seem to think much differently than what I was used to. I've learned a lot, and still have a lot more to learn, about different perspectives and ideas. Since moving, I admittedly have more of an open mind.
Now, I have grown a lot since moving away. However, I can't credit all or even the majority of my growth to moving away from my little, small town. Most of it has been from simply living on my own and learning from those experiences.
I truly miss my little hometown and our high school days. My high school friends are some of the best people I will ever know. I am forever grateful for their friendship and support. I know I can count on any single one of them if I really get in a pinch. I know my family would be too. If we didn't live so close, I really don't think we would actually be as close-knitted of a family as we are today.
Even beyond family and friends, as a whole, the entire community is something I'm also grateful for. I've learned to value competition and conflict as an opportunity to get better and grow and so much more.
Albeit I love what I'm doing and where I'm at now. I am extremely thankful for my hometown and my experiences that I've had so far here. I'm not sure what'll happen in the future or where I'll be, but I know nothing will really change too dramatically in my little town. I find some sense of peace in knowing this.
