This week I had the chance to go back to my high school for the first football game of the year and it made me think back. To all the memories, chaos, love, adventures and everything else that school and that town held for me. Being away from home all year round now just makes me that much more thankful for everything that it gave me.

When it comes down to it, the people make the place and this is especially true for hometowns. From the teachers at the schools to the members of the church to randoms that I came in contact with to of course the friends, I could not have asked for better. My teachers taught me as much about life and how to handle things it threw my way as they did about calculus and biology. The members of my church showed me the compassion and heart of Christ despite the situation as I grew from a toddler into a young adult. Strangers showed me how to contain my road rage at times, smile no matter what they throw you and to always say please and thank you. And of course, the friends. I don't know who or where I would be without the love and friendship of the most amazing people. They are the best I could ever ask for and I am so lucky to have grown up with them by my side.

The people really made that place what it was. But along with the people came the amazing and also, some not so amazing memories, but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't change any of it. The best memories came at the times I least expected. In a basement with my favorite people at 3 a.m., in a spur of the moment fast food run, simply just being together. Along with the best times also came the worst of time, but that's okay. They taught me important lessons, they changed me for the better and they made me who I am today. The memories that I will never forget with the people who have had an impact on my life forever would not have been the same anywhere else.

It's my town, my people, my memories. That place has so much meaning and every time I go back, I am more and more thankful for everything that it had and still has to offer.It helped shape me into who I am and I couldn't imagine growing up and living life anywhere else. If I ever need to find myself lost in the chaos of life, I know I can go back there and center myself. It has a way of taking me back to the years I spent there and reminding me of who I truly am and all I came from