I was recently asked by a friend who left home after high school, you never left home. I said no they said wow really. Once again I wasn’t shocked by this statement. So many people look down on us who choose to stay local after high school and college. I say look down all you want. There has to be someone who stays home to keep it running. I talk pride in being a hometown girl. I have watched this town grow where you get to come home and marvel in the changes. I saw them happen, contributed to the changes, and benefited from them. I saw what was once a small town blossom. While you may come home and say but I have this and I have that in LA, Atlanta, New York I can say I have the best the world has to offer. I have family, my kids are growing up with their cousins and grandparents and will have memories I was blessed to have by being a hometown girls daughter. So next time you get asked about ever leaving your hometown wear that shit proud. Don’t hang your head down and feel ashamed for being hometown folks. Those who left will always come back home. While they spread their wings by moving away doesn’t mean yours have been cut by staying home. I’ve visited lots of places but guess what there is no place like home. There is nothing better than coming back home. My home is where I started and my heart is where I was born but my story is not limited to my hometown.