Growing up in a small town, all I ever wanted to do was leave. Go out and explore, see what the United States of America had to offer. After high school, I attended Cosmetology school but I still lived at home. Then after graduating cosmetology, I decided to go back to college, but that was only two hours away from home. So I was home all the time, mostly working every weekend, but I still felt as I was living that small town life.

October of 2016 I received an email from Disney World offering me a position as a lifeguard. I accept and was counting down the days to Florida. My move in day was January 10th, 2017. It's now middle of March and there are so many things I miss back home.

1. St. Louis Toasted Ravioli and Imo's Pizza

Let me tell you something, I have never craved these two items so much in my life. Almost every single day I carve one or the other. I've also thought about paying $70 for Imo's to ship me down pizza.

2. Mazzio's

Highland, IL, my hometown has a little restaurant called mazzio's and it has the BEST salad bar within 100 miles. I miss being able to pay $5 a get a good salad togo, with delicious cinnamon bread sticks.

3. Dairy King

About 15 miles away Dairy King is the place to eat. I always get 6 mini tacos, loaded fries, and some kind of ice cream. But Dairy king isn't a fast food restaurant, it's a place you go with friends or family and have fun together.

4. The Corn

Living 15 minutes off the interstate was so nice, I got to drive next to corn for 15 minutes. I was able to make it home quickly because there wasn't a lot of traffic. I miss being able to breathe fresh air. I miss living the country life style.

5. Back Roads

On days the traffic was bad, or some kind of car accident was in the way, everyone knew to take a back road. Some times when you have a bad day, just go drive a back road, it'll calm you down.

6. My family

Even though I didn't see them everyday, just being able to have the choice to see them was so nice. Being able to try and attend my little siblings swim team matches, or wrestling tournaments. I miss eating dinner with them, and getting a hug when I come home.

Orlando, Florida is an awesome place to live if you enjoy the city lifestyle, but for me, it's just to much. I can't wait to go back home and see corn, to give my family the best hugs. I can't wait to eat a large Imo's pizza myself, I can't wait to see all my friends I've missed so dearly. But most of all I can't wait to be back home.