Hometown

By Rylee Freeman

Growing up in a small town, one of the most common phrases sounds something like, “I hate how everyone knows all of my business!”

I said it plenty of times myself.

When I went to college, I was excited for a blank slate. New friends. New beginnings.

So orientation weekend began- my first opportunity to meet new people.

And what did I do?

I sat in my dorm room, alone, organizing my closet and desk while calling my parents every hour.

I told myself that I’d just start making friends once class started and that I was too overwhelmed by orientation to really get to know anyone.

Classes started and since I started as a business major, my classes consisted of primarily football players.

How was I supposed to relate to them?

I didn’t. I felt like I had nothing in common with anyone.

I met a few nice people, but every connection I had was entirely surface-level. There wasn’t a single genuine conversation.

I spent my first semester of college crying in my dorm room and texting all of my friends from home.

My friends from home. I missed them beyond words.

They knew my heart. They understood me.

My likes, dislikes and everything in between.

I missed my teachers and coaches.

I missed my hometown church- where I could walk in and feel love throughout the sanctuary before anyone spoke a word.

I missed the familiarity.

This is all to say that maybe it’s okay to have the people from your hometown “know all your business.”

You’re surrounded with people that either watched you grow up or grew up alongside you.

They love you despite knowing your flaws and mistakes.

Fast forward to second semester, I had found three girls that turned into precious friends.

I spent less time crying and more time cherishing genuine laughs with those friends.

It’s great to make new friends, but there’s a comfort in being known by the people who have seen every version of you.

So hold those people close and never take for granted the bonds formed within a small town.