From a scientific perspective, your DNA technically shapes you. Science claims you act and look a certain way because of who you come from. But how about where you come from? Where does that fit into the equation?

I can tell you that no matter where life takes me, my humble hometown has shaped me into the person I am today. I’ll always have a small town heart.

This cliché thing to say is, “College has changed me.” But it is true. College has taught me to appreciate the things I took advantage of before - like my hometown.

To be honest, I could not wait to graduate high school and leave. I was not staying and no one could change my mind. I was going to pack my bags and I never wanted to look back. I can you tell, it was the best decision I honestly ever made. But now, I appreciate my small hometown more than ever.

I may never live there for a long period of time again, but that town has taught me more than any other place in this world ever will.

That town has given me my childhood. It has taught me my toughest life lessons. It will be the place I marry my husband. It will be the place I bring my children back to see their grandma and great-grandparents. It will be the place that will always have my small town heart.

It has truly taught me that there is no place like home. A trip home is sometimes the best medicine when I feel like life is getting ahead of me. That town has made me look at today’s world so differently.

Morals. You go to church on Sundays and pray on the days in between. My hometown is easily described in a Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean or Time McGraw song. You work hard towards something or you don’t get it. Don’t depend on someone else because they may not always be there. Don’t let negative people stop you from doing something positive. Love deeply. Always stay humble & kind.

Friendships. My hometown has given me a few of my most valued friendships, but it has taught me how to be a good friend, too. Living in such a small area, everyone was always there for a friend in need. If something tragic happened, our small area would come together in support. I learned you don’t have to talk to a person every single day to count them as a friend in life. A true friend is always there.

Family. The most important people in one’s life. You don’t choose them, but you can never leave them behind. My hometown has given me the best family in the world, and without them, I would not be where I am today.

Back Roads. The back roads where I grew up, helped me figure out just about anything. Country music blaring from my VW Beetle’s stereo, never ending dirt roads and nothing for miles always helped clear my mind and get my life in order.

From the age of 18, I always knew there was more than the same old story I was living, and my dreams weren’t ever going to take flight in my small town. But I knew, my small town heart would lead me in the right direction.

That is why I will forever be grateful for where I grew up, and I have found that my small town holds a huge place in the equation. It is because it has my heart.