Tipton County is probably the most boring place on the planet (to me, anyways). It's located about 45 minutes away from Memphis, which seems too far, but that's where everyone has to go to have a little fun. If you're from here and someone asks where you're from, you will most likely say "I'm from Memphis." It's because most people have never even heard of Atoka, Munford, Brighton or Covington. People will literally stare at you when you say those towns. But now that I've moved away, I've realized I've taken it for granted. Tipton County is my home. It's where I've met my best friends, how to love Jesus, how to dance, how to be a cheerleader, how to play an instrument and many more. It's also where I "broke up" with my best friends, had my first boyfriend and got my heart broken by other boys too many times. If you're from Tipton County, people can describe it as being full of too much drama. But it has it's many quirks and little gems about it. If you grew up in Tipton County maybe you'll recognize some of these quirks and gems...
1. You went to Bumpers when you were a kid.
Bumpers was basically an old time style drive-in restaurant, which is basically like Sonic. I remember when this place closed down and I was a little upset. I can't tell you what year it did, but it eventually got replaced by Sonic, which is right down Highway 51. I remember looking forward to eating here because we always got Fruit Roll-Ups with our kids meals. What kid didn't love Fruit Roll-Ups?
2. You went to Munford Celebrate.
Munford Celebrate is basically a tradition. You have to go. You have to get a funnel cake and just walk around the small town of Munford. People flock to this event like no one's business. It's basically your typical small town shin dig where everyone gets together to shop the local businesses and eat tons of food that are bad for you. For me it was a time to hang out with my friends and gossip. Normally they have it for some special reason but it's a good time to see the whole town (or maybe not see the whole school -- who knows.)
3. You went to the skating rink on Friday nights.
Friday nights as a fourth grader could not get any better than this. Literally all the kids from school went to the local park and recreation center on Friday nights to go skating. It was $5 and they literally had the best nachos. I remember I would beg my mom to go, and my cousin and I would get as cute as we could get and go. It was where all the cute boys were, and you would never miss out on some kind of drama. It was great. Don't forget "The Cha-Cha Slide" and all those other girls dancing way too inappropriately.
4. Someone claims they know Justin Timberlake through their cousin's sister's boyfriend's friend. Or they're related to him somehow.
So everyone thinks Justin is from Memphis, but he actually grew up in Millington, which is like 10 minutes away from Tipton County -- just to inform you all. This, for some reason, gives everyone the right to claim they knew him personally or they're related to him. Hey, how could you blame them? To be honest, my babysitter was actually friends with him before his glory days so I'm basically his sister, right? Anyways, if you're lucky enough and he's in town you actually might catch him at his golf course, the local movie theater or Los Reyes. So be on the lookout.
5. You went to Old Trinity Church in Mason...
This isn't just some church that people go to. Rumor is that there is an angel statue in the back where the graveyard is. The statue is of the Virgin Mary. Apparently, the statue bleeds from the eyes and from the neck. It is also said that this place is haunted and kids basically want to risk their sanity and visit this place. Personally, I have never done it but I have heard stories of my friends who got drunk and thought it would be fun to go.
6. The idea of "fun" on a Friday night was "riding around" on Highway 51 where all the restaurants are.
Taco Bell, Casa Mexicana and Sonic were all connected by a little driveway right off of Highway 51. McDonald's was right on the other side of the highway. Basically people would drive around in circle hanging out where everyone else was. There would be big trucks at Sonic with all the boys revving up their stupid engines to see how "manly" they were. It seemed pretty lame. Once Sonic closed, everyone would go to McDonald's and hang out in the parking. If you were lucky, maybe a fight broke out like always. But hey, that's Tipton County for you.
7. FFA Week was bigger than homecoming.
That's right. Future Farmers of America had it made at my small town school. I always knew it was FFA week because all the guys would have their duck calls in class because it was duck call competition day or something like that. I guess it was interesting. Also, you can't forget "Drive Your Tractor to School Day." Guys would trade their cars for their tractors and just drive it there. Whatever floats your boat. It was fun for them to actually get together and do what they love. I just didn't really understand it. Sorry.
8. You went to a Brighton vs. Covington football game or the M&M Bowl.
Just like any small town, football ruled our world. The rivalry of Brighton and Covington goes back for years. I'm not really sure. Before the game, the schools would always prank each other somehow and there would be so much sh*t talking. It was pretty fun. Unless your team lost. Same goes for the M&M Bowl. This was Munford High School and Millington Central High School. This game was always so huge. These were the best rivals because all these schools were so good.
9. You went to the bottoms to ride around and have some peace.
The "bottoms" were somewhere in Drummonds and you could just pack up a truck full of people and ride around. If it rained a lot you would go muddin' all day and mostly likely watch the gorgeous sunset by the river. It was always a nice place to just get away, have some fun and peace.
Tipton County isn't all that bad. I sure did have my ups and downs growing up there but I wouldn't change it for the world. It's most definitely your typical small town but it is home to me.
