From when I was younger to my senior year of high school, I practically hated growing up in a small town. I was sick of doing the same things time and time again, eating at the same restaurant every Sunday, and seeing the same people everywhere that I went. I could not wait to leave Rome and explore the world outside of Floyd County. My whole life I had dreamed of going of to college in a big city and living in a glamorous apartment like that I had seen in my favorite movies. Finally, the day I graduated from high school, I realized that the fulfillment my childhood dream wasn't too far away. I had moved on from Rome before I had even left.
When I finally left home for an early summer semester of college at the University of Georgia, I drove excitedly towards my future home: Athens. During the drive I fantasized about my dorm room, classes, clubs I would get involved in, and mainly how much better this new stage of life would be than my previous one in Rome. I just knew that I would go to this new exciting city and never return to my hometown. I honestly thought that I was better, that I deserved more than what Rome could ever give me.
Now, with practically a year of college under my belt, I realize just how unrealistic that my dream was. My dream, rich dorm room turned into a crowded space that practically was never clean. My huge city that I could not wait to call home was filled with similar restaurants, stores, and people that I was used to back in Rome. I had expected that some kind of fairy tale would await me when I arrived on campus, but like Cinderella, the spell was broken, and reality came running and screaming back.
The two biggest lies that I made myself believe about the "new life" of college were that it would be better than Rome could ever be and that I would be independent and strong in my new world. I realized the hilarious falsity of these two statements before my parents even left me in Athens. I had spent my last two years of high school bragging about the life that I would live away from Rome, one that I could have never experienced at home. In a sense, I was right. If I had stayed in Rome, I wouldn't have ever learned to wake myself up or do my own laundry. I would be relying on my parents for every decision and begging for direction for every move that I would make. I would have dreamed the rest of my life believing that there was a better place for me than my hometown. If I had stayed in Rome, I would not have grown.
Though I love living in Athens, I now realize just how much that growing up in small-town Rome, Georgia has taught me. I learned to drive in busy five-o-clock traffic on Turner McCall. I learned to make lasting relationships with genuine people. I learned to be confident in what I had achieved and excited for what I would achieve. By growing up in a small-town, I was prepared for the next stage of life of living in a bigger city all alone. I know that if I had not grown up in Rome, I would not be where I am today, for my hometown has raised me up to my current state. Rome was there for me when I got my driver's license, when I met my best friend, when I fell in and out of love, and when my closest loved ones passed away. See, when you grow up in a small-town, you are never alone. You have a small army at your back to hold you steady.
In a tribute to my incredible home, here is my list of "15 Ways You Know You Grew Up In a Small Town":
Remember where you are from. I thought that Rome couldn't give me what I needed. Perhaps, however, I couldn't give Rome what it needed. The best part about a small-town is that everyone works together for the good of the whole community. A small-town will give you smiles, laughter, tears, and pain. A small-town comes together when one of its members is in danger. A small-town supports every one of its citizens, even those like me who didn't believe in just how great their home is. I am thankful for the place that has raised me, given me a forever home, and will always be a part of me.
Home Sweet Rome.
-Emily
When I finally left home for an early summer semester of college at the University of Georgia, I drove excitedly towards my future home: Athens. During the drive I fantasized about my dorm room, classes, clubs I would get involved in, and mainly how much better this new stage of life would be than my previous one in Rome. I just knew that I would go to this new exciting city and never return to my hometown. I honestly thought that I was better, that I deserved more than what Rome could ever give me.
Now, with practically a year of college under my belt, I realize just how unrealistic that my dream was. My dream, rich dorm room turned into a crowded space that practically was never clean. My huge city that I could not wait to call home was filled with similar restaurants, stores, and people that I was used to back in Rome. I had expected that some kind of fairy tale would await me when I arrived on campus, but like Cinderella, the spell was broken, and reality came running and screaming back.
The two biggest lies that I made myself believe about the "new life" of college were that it would be better than Rome could ever be and that I would be independent and strong in my new world. I realized the hilarious falsity of these two statements before my parents even left me in Athens. I had spent my last two years of high school bragging about the life that I would live away from Rome, one that I could have never experienced at home. In a sense, I was right. If I had stayed in Rome, I wouldn't have ever learned to wake myself up or do my own laundry. I would be relying on my parents for every decision and begging for direction for every move that I would make. I would have dreamed the rest of my life believing that there was a better place for me than my hometown. If I had stayed in Rome, I would not have grown.
Though I love living in Athens, I now realize just how much that growing up in small-town Rome, Georgia has taught me. I learned to drive in busy five-o-clock traffic on Turner McCall. I learned to make lasting relationships with genuine people. I learned to be confident in what I had achieved and excited for what I would achieve. By growing up in a small-town, I was prepared for the next stage of life of living in a bigger city all alone. I know that if I had not grown up in Rome, I would not be where I am today, for my hometown has raised me up to my current state. Rome was there for me when I got my driver's license, when I met my best friend, when I fell in and out of love, and when my closest loved ones passed away. See, when you grow up in a small-town, you are never alone. You have a small army at your back to hold you steady.
In a tribute to my incredible home, here is my list of "15 Ways You Know You Grew Up In a Small Town":
- Everyone knows everyone, and everyone is related to everyone. You simply cannot go to Walmart without seeing at least fifteen people you know.
- You spent almost every Friday night of your life cheering on your local high school football teams. Whether they won or lost, you went to every game.
- You know the shortcuts to navigate around holiday traffic and the roads that police do not check speed on (not like we ever sped though, right?).
- Your mall had ten stores, but was still the hang-out spot.
- There is a church on every corner. Jesus is everywhere.
- You know just what restaurants to avoid on Sundays after church (Las Palmas, I am talking to you.)
- You grew up with the kids of the people your parents grew up with. You also went through every emotion with these people.
- People will always pull over for a motorcade. Some will even step out of their cars and salute the families.
- Everyone knows everybody's secrets. Whether this is good or bad we will never figure out.
- Your History teacher was probably your Sunday School teacher, and your English teacher sang in the choir.
- Everyone comes out when the newest fast food restaurant opens (Steak n Shake and Cookout, we love you.)
- The waitress at the local burger joint knows your order and starts to prepare it the moment you sit down.
- Greasy, family owned restaurants trump national chains any day (Schroeder's, Pasquale's, Stanley's...you rule).
- You have dreamed of getting out of this place more than you can count on both hands.
- You realize that this is the place for you and your future family and you will never leave.
Remember where you are from. I thought that Rome couldn't give me what I needed. Perhaps, however, I couldn't give Rome what it needed. The best part about a small-town is that everyone works together for the good of the whole community. A small-town will give you smiles, laughter, tears, and pain. A small-town comes together when one of its members is in danger. A small-town supports every one of its citizens, even those like me who didn't believe in just how great their home is. I am thankful for the place that has raised me, given me a forever home, and will always be a part of me.
Home Sweet Rome.
-Emily