When I graduated high school I could not wait to be out of my small town.
I could only see the negative. I wanted to be in the city surrounded by people with different stories. People who didn't know me or my last name. So I moved to Phoenix Arizona and dang I definitely dove headfirst into city life! I never thought I'd actually find anything positive from being born and raised in a small town in the middle of wheat fields. But after time away I can't help but find things about Davenport that I can appreciate. Including hearing people tell me stories about my grandparents and my dad when he was in high school.
Man those never get old! Maybe you can appreciate these 10 things you know to be true when you're a fellow Davenportian:
1. The unspoken competition between the only two coffee stands in town.
I will make no opinion on which one is better however, I have to advise that you try out a "Fluffy Bunny" from Some Like It Hot Espresso. Delicious!
2. We have that one traffic light that only blinks yellow.
You know the one...
3. You know you "made it" when your picture is in the town newspaper for student or athlete of the week.
Or your name is mentioned in the sports section for making that one basket. Or you get a picture of you in the paper for your role in the school musical.
4. You know at least two people in this week's paper...in the Courts section. For speeding or running that one traffic light in the town, or driving donuts in the farmer's fields.
Just a heads up for those who wish to live a good, long life...Don't mess with the farmers in this town. Because behind them, there's at least 6 more farmers following.
5. When the entire town shows up to the high school sports.
Even when the crowd doesn't know anyone on the team, they still have that Gorilla Pride.
6. You graduated years ago and still remember that one teacher who gave you detention in middle school.
But I'm not bitter at all.
7. You're still homies with your high school teacher.
Yes, I even still text her when I need advice.
8. When you have to drive 40 minutes to go to a church just to get away from the town gossip.
And after church you stop by Edna's restaurant for one their delicious milkshakes!
9. When people ask you what part of Washington you're from and you simply say you're from Spokane just because it's quicker to explain.
Because saying, "I live about 40 minutes from Spokane which is on the opposite side of the Washington state. Not by Seattle! But I am from a small town in the middle of wheat fields. Oh and my graduating class was like 40 people. No big." Kind of takes the breath out of ya!
10. When the entire town stands beside a family who is going through the death of family member, or when a family member is fighting an illness...
Because it takes a village. And when you're from this town you can count on the best villagers to have your back through all the highs and lows. You will never be alone.
And when you swear you're so done with this small town life...then you realize after you're gone just how blessed you were to grow up in such a supportive community with people who will always have your back.
