"Where are you from?"

A common question I have received over the years since coming to college. Most of the time when I say Osceola, WI, but people confuse it with Osseo, or have no idea what I am talking about until I mention "It's somewhere near Hudson."

I grew up in a town of about 2,000 people and graduated with a class of around 130 students. Most of the time our idea of "fun" was heading to the local Walmart to shop around or spending our nights in a field with friends. To say I am proud of where I came from would be the truth, but I am also happy that I have moved on from that place in my life.

Tractor pulls, bus races, and heading to the local lake was all on the agenda throughout middle and high school. We spent our time driving long distances to simply visit the mall, or even to get to Target. I feel this has helped me grow in multiple ways because it taught me to cherish the little things in life and make the most of any situation. Bonfires in the back yard, small pool parties and running around in the woods is how I spent my childhood and it really allowed me to use my imagination in the best way I could.

Living in a small town meant you knew just about everyone. A lot of people were related in some way and even grocery shopping resulted in a reunion of at least a dozen people you knew. Nights spent with my family, and weekend sleepovers with my best friends were what my summer's consisted of. In the winter, the whole town awaited the great light display from the house on the hill and when tragedy struck, it affected the whole town. This is how I spent the first 18 years of my life, and I don't regret any part of it.

When I went off to college, my whole world seemed to change in the blink of an eye. Minneapolis became my new turf, and out here, I still feel that the opportunities are endless. Being an apparel design major, you have to dream big. Little ole' Osceola just wouldn't have been able to provide me with the resources to live out my passion someday, which is why I am okay with leaving the past behind.

Minneapolis has changed me in more ways than one. I have become more independent, and all-in-all, more mature. Don't get me wrong, I have had a ton of fun here while at college, but now know the importance of "growing up" and feel this city has changed me for the better.

I still get excited heading back to my hometown. So many memories are brought up and I love seeing Osceola evolve into something completely different than what it used to be. As the years get further away from when I graduated high school, I find it so intriguing to watch the next years' graduates head off into the real world. I still talk to many people from back home, and do consider them lifelong friends of mine, because in a small town, you all experience everything together.

The difference between spending a Saturday afternoon at a truck pull, and now, spending my time exploring the city and meeting new people has been such a change. I am so grateful for Osceola, and the small town that raised me into who I am, but can't wait to spend my life in the great city of Minneapolis (or who knows, maybe New York someday!)