Having lived in Seymour, Tennessee for the majority of my life, there’s a sort of life that we all live there. There are things we all do, say, think and feel, and emotions that we tie back to that tiny little town crammed between Knoxville and Sevierville. If you drive too fast down Chapman Highway, there's a chance you'll miss it, but for some of us, it's the place we call home.

1. White Star is THE PLACE to be

Whether you want a Mountain Dew Icee, a hotdog, or just someone to chat with, it’s the absolute best place to be. When I was in high school, I lived at White Star. We went there before every football game, cut class to eat lunch there, and a lot of friends worked there. It’s like a tiny hub where everyone goes to eat and talk. Plus, you might get your name on the board outside when it's your birthday!

2. Jobs

Everyone in high school either worked at Food City, Kroger, Wilderness at the Smokies, or Tanger. Seriously, I couldn’t go anywhere without seeing a classmate and I almost always worked with practically half of my class. Even still, some of the people I went to school with are working at these places.

3. School Traffic

Seriously, whose idea was it to put EVERY SINGLE SEYMOUR SCHOOL ON THE SAME BLOCK?! WHOSE?!

4. Rod Runs

They were the bane of our existence but also a blessing. The traffic made going anywhere an actual nightmare, but getting out of school early on those Friday’s was amazing. Plus, it was a good time to get out and socialize.

5. Tourists

We judge them constantly. Living so close to Dollywood and Pigeon Forge makes it all seem so lackluster, and judging all the people coming to see it was a constant. Plus, they can’t drive.

6. There are no secrets

Seriously. Even people I didn’t talk to, I knew their business and vice versa. If someone isn’t talking gossip, they aren’t talking at all. Seymour is the Gretchen Wieners of Tennessee. “She knows everything about everyone.”

7. 411 Racetrack

You probably know someone who races or who goes every Saturday. It’s the place to be on the weekends for most of the people who live there. Living near it, though, that’s a nightmare. Say goodbye to sitting outside when there’s a race going on, cause you won’t be able to hear anything but the revving of engines.

8. It’s home

Even though I don’t live in Seymour anymore, it will always be home. There’s a reason so many people don’t leave, or why they end up coming back once everything is said and done. From the McDonald's sign you can see for miles, to the Sonic and the grocery stores, it truly is home.