I grew up in a very small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was a town that no one knew when someone said it aloud, and so I always had to settle by saying that “home” was the nearest city (which was actually 45 minutes away from my actual home). We had one main street, with mostly only restaurants on both sides. It was about 15 or so years ago that we FINALLY got a movie theater (with only two small theaters, very recently expanded). About four years ago, we upped our status by adding Super Wal-Mart. Exciting stuff, right? I recall coming home every day after school, plumping down onto the couch, wondering what in the hell I’m doing stuck in this town (while simultaneously binge eating cool ranch Doritos). All of my time was spent wondering when I would get to start my life and really be somebody. I sure as heck didn’t think anything was happening in my tiny town the way things were for 18 years.

When I look back though, I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have been more wrong. Small towns have a lot of potential, because they have an awful lot of heart. Everybody knows everybody (which I know sometimes seems like a bad thing because secrets don’t exist there). However, it really just gives a sense of community. Someone passes? The whole community comes about to celebrate and honor their life. The hometown baseball team makes it to states? You bet that the entire town is going to carpool over to their game. This community builds a really big sense of heart, and I think that’s the best thing about it. You know that wherever you go, you’ve got this big family behind you.

So, I look back to myself as that little kid that constantly complained about there being nothing to do at home. And I regret it. I used to tell my mom and dad how I would never in a million years put my kids through this place that felt comparable to hell on earth (Give me a break; children are dramatic). But now, as I’ve gotten older and experienced living in busier areas, I know now that I WANT to raise my future family and continue my adult life in a small town just like the one I grew up in.

I like walking down the street and having about 10 people to say hello to. I love being able to go to a school in an environment and graduate with 200 kids that I pretty much know and love. A small town may not seem like much, but it brings with it some bigger things. Without my small town, I would not be the person who I am today. I wouldn’t have the friendliness inside of me, nor would I have the bright, shining and fearless personality that I have today. I AM the person that I am because my small town and close-knit community helped to constantly show me love and support. It built me up, just like it has done with everyone that’s ever been in it.

Ami McKay, author of “The Birth House,” once wrote: “No matter what you do, someone always knew you would.” This quote encapsulates the big heart of a small town. You may feel stuck in a small place, but through the love and support of your small little place, you can blossom into whoever you want to be and do everything you’ve ever dreamed of being able to do. Someone will always be there to believe in you and stand behind you. Nothing but love and support surround you. Small towns bring big hearts.