I was truly blessed to be born and raised in what some people consider the country. All I saw in my eyes were hard working people just trying to make a living, kids with big dreams, and familiar faces around every corner. People who are not originally around here do not understand the beauty of our town. Some would say we are "old fashioned" or that this place is a "bore". It was bonfires, fireman picnics, off roading, the smell of fresh cut hay and secret swimming holes that made me love this small town so much. It taught me to respect my elders, live off the land, become my own person and most importantly let me have a creative mind even when I turned into a legal adult.

So before you go around making assumptions of my small town you should know a few things. We were raised off of family traditions, proud supporters of the NRA, and hell yes opening day for hunting is considered a holiday around this part of town. I don't except you to understand our way of living; just like you would not except me to understand how your town is so wonderful. So let me break it down for you...

You don't know anything until you lost it all. What do I mean by that? It does not matter what kind of car you drive, how big your house is, or the price tag on your new jacket. What matters is waking up happy and appreciating the beauty surrounding you. That is what my town has taught me. It taught me that when I sit in my tree stand I take a moment to be thankful for this beautiful day, being able to walk out of the woods to home grown family roots. That I am humble enough to know the difference between a want and a need.

I don't except you to understand the excitement bonfires, swimming holes, off roading or fireman picnics bring to us around here. You don't know much until you lost that big movie theater down the street, or that arcade filled with games. Around my town we have each other, it is the feeling of the wind in your hair as you over look the water your about to jump into. It is the smell of firewood on your mossy oak sweatshirt with the taste of your first beer on your tongue. It was coming home at night covered in dried mud from off roading at your best friends farm. It was your first date at the fireman picnic winning that big stuff tiger.

You don't know much until you walk a day in our boots. So before you go calling this town "old fashion" or a "bore". I challenge you to spend the summer here to truly realize that the small things in life are truly the best. I am proud to call myself a small homegrown country girl.