Ahh, Jackson. The place I was raised since I was 4 years old. This beautiful small town has many charms that make it special, which I've come to appreciate all the more since being away at college. From the Carmichael House to the Rec department, the town is definitely unique no matter how much it changes. For all my fellow J-Towners, you may agree with a few of these things that can only be found in our beautiful Butts.

1. You know everyone.

When it comes to small towns, Jackson definitely fits the description. With only one middle school and one high school, you saw the same people every day for years.

2. And everyone knows you.

It was difficult to meet a stranger in this town, as people always knew about you in some form. Whether it be from who you dated or your older sibling, you never really had to introduce yourself.

3. And everyone knows your family.

This one can be good and bad. If your family is like mine, we've had an address in Jackson for generations. So if I met someone and they didn't know who I was, most likely they knew my grandfather.

4. Whenever someone moved to Jackson, you always asked, "Why?"

Even though we know this little town has its charms, we were always baffled when people moved there voluntarily.

5. People laugh when you tell them what county you're from.

6. You timed your routines around the train schedule.

Whether it be the after-school meetups at Chik-n-Run, or getting to the Rec department, any time the train was passing through, you knew you'd have to wait. By the time senior year rolled around, I knew exactly when I needed to leave my house to beat the daily train.

7. You were super excited about the new Zaxby's and Waffle House.

When I first got to college, I was so excited that I had either one of these options within 10 minutes of campus, because Jackson didn't have either (unless you wanted to drive out to interstate, and no one wants that). Then when I heard the news these restaurants were coming to our small town, I was halfway excited, and halfway upset they waited till after I graduated to show up.

8. You spent many weekends and summer nights at the lake.

One of the best charms of Jackson, to me, will always be this body of water. I have so many memories of tubing, fishing, and wasting the days away on Jackson Lake.

9. #RD4L

The halls of JHS may have seemed like a prison at times, but they'll always be where I spent some of the best four years of my life. From the football games on Red Devil Hill, to late nights decorating for Spirit Week, that place will forever be a part of me and I'm glad it says "Jackson High School" on my diploma.