Since I was six and a half I have lived in a small town. I'm talking about the kind where everyone knows your name and exactly what you did the day before just by "word of mouth." Everyone does know you, along with your parents and sibling or siblings. I always thought it was unbelievably boring and a waste of space. I wanted so badly to leave.

The only thing to get excited about on the weekends were the Friday night lights when you got to deck yourself out in spirit wear while cheering your home team on. I loved the loud Friday nights and looked forward to them every week.

Let's not forget about the boring night life as well. All there was to do was to take long drives down an old back road while listening to the nearest radio country station. Taking a trip to the nearest town to get Taco Bell was a favorite past time too.

I hated that my town wasn't near any attractions. If I wanted to actually do something different, I had to drive 15 minutes away to the closest movie theatre or even a fast food restaurant that I was craving.

Sure, there were a lot of things I couldn't stand about small town USA and I always dreamed of getting out. I wanted to get as far away as I could and I got about as far as 45 minutes away. Being away changed my life and made me truly appreciate my little home town.

I used to hate this place and now here I am, not wanting to leave. I'm not quite sure why I never appreciated everything a few years ago. Now I find myself more grounded and happy here. I've grown up being social and friendly from the kind hospitality day in and day out. I've learned that family truly is everything and you'll meet some of the greatest people residing in a small town. I get a tingling sense of happiness when I see the fields and the sunset in the horizon. One of my favorite things to do is to drive, park my car on the side of the road in the country and just gaze at the stars thinking about how huge our universe really is. I'm glad I was brought up in this small town.

I used to hate this place, now I find myself in love with it. I am truly thankful for my small town keeping me grounded and appreciative of the little things in life.