Growing up in a small town in the deep south, I always dreamed of places like New York or London. All I wanted was to be somewhere that not everybody knew who I was or who's kid I was. My town was something straight out of one of those cheesy movies on Hallmark. Totally predictable, way too small. Everybody knew everybody (and their business).
I just wanted out. Even as a kid, I felt suffocated by my town. My teachers knew my parents, or simply called me "Mary Beth's little sister" because they didn't know my name but had already taught my older sister. I absolutely hated it.
I always had a city heart. The first time I went to New York City, I felt so comfortable being surrounded by the skyscrapers and people that were rushing to get somewhere. I loved how you could fade into the crowd and nobody cared what you did. Nobody judged you.
In my hometown, if you suddenly started wearing your hair different or dressed differently, all eyes were on you and the halls were filled with judgmental whispers, so you conformed mostly.
Even though I hated it, I definitely learned a lot from growing up there. I learned that there are good people out there. I learned that the best policy is zero gossip because its easy to get sucked in. I also realized that I can't trust everyone. I came out of it with a few great friends, a good education, and a head on my shoulders. And as much as I hate to admit it sometimes, I actually did come from a small town in Alabama.
