It’s a unique type of experience to grow up in a small town. One that’s been depicted in TV, movies, plays and books. Most notably, our beloved Andy Griffith Show. While Andy didn’t have the allure, sparkle and shine of a big city, Mayberry was all he needed. Those who grew up in small town NC probably find themselves relating a lot to Mayberry.
Sure, some people can’t wait to get out of their small town. But beneath the twinkling, jaw-dropping lights of a skyscraper, we find ourselves realizing that no matter where we go, we will always carry certain values. Even if you’ve found your way home, or never left, it’s even more true you live these ten values each day. Why are we the best kind of people? There’s a handful of reasons but these ten are beyond true.
- We have a ‘fix what’s broken’ mentality instead of ‘replace it with something shiny and new.’
Flickr / Zach Frailey : The Uprooted Photographer From relationships to cars, this can be applied to practically every part of our life.
- We understand that the best things take time.
Flickr / Zach Frailey : The Uprooted Photographer It might be a lot of hard work, but we’ve grown up working with our hands, driving countless hours to ‘big cities’ and working hard to achieve our goals, some of which were unattainable in our hometown. We know a little patience leads to a lot of ‘worth it.’
- We value simplicity and appreciate the little things.
Flickr / Don McCullough A beautiful sunset, a laugh of our grandchild, a nice night on the porch. It doesn’t take much to make us satisfied–and that’s a beautiful thing.
- We protect our own.
Flickr / www.glynlowe.com Family, friends, neighbors…you can be sure we’ll always have your back.
- We value deep, meaningful conversations.
Flickr / Daniel It doesn’t matter if you’re a stranger, we’ll talk to you about life, politics, and goals before we talk about the weather. Although, we might start with the weather as an icebreaker. People from small towns like to talk…a lot.
- We use our faith to guide us.
Only in North Carolina Facebook / Allen Phelps Photography Church is more than a Sunday occasion, it’s a way of life. It’s likely that several generations will attend the same church. It’s an integrated part of the small town community. And those who don’t go to church? They still have faith and hope even without religion. It’s in the fundamentals of growing up and living in a small town.
- We take the road less traveled.
Only in North Carolina Facebook Page / Terrah Hewett Usually to get to our houses (haha) but also in terms of the way we approach life. We don’t need a big city to make us feel important as a person. We prefer our lifestyle and stand by it.
- We respect nature in all its forms.
Flickr / Monika Simpkins Most of us grew up working on a farm, near a farm, or around people who had farms. We’ve learned to depend on the land and animals for a lot of necessities. We also learned that we have to treat both with care and love. Even if we’ve left our small towns, we’ve taken this concept and understanding with us wherever we go.
- We always help others and appreciate when others help us.
Only in North Carolina Facebook / Bud Royester If you find yourself with a flat tire in small town NC, it won’t be long that you’re stranded. You’ll have someone change your tire and even invite you to supper! We keep our values traditional, meaning we always support others and show gratitude as well.
- We’ve grown to accept and love who we are. What makes us true ‘small town folk.’
Flickr / Cyndi Calhoun Sure, it can feel absolutely stifling to grow up in a place where everybody knows everybody. But once you walk away from that world, you realize just how much you appreciate that unique type of upbringing. Even if now, you find yourself in a big city, you always remember your roots. You remember who you were and who you are now. We never run away from our pasts; we embrace them, we sit down and always make sure to ask ‘hey, how ya doin’ and we know we wouldn’t trade who we really are for the world.
Did you grow up in small town NC? What did you think of our list? What would you add? Tell us in the comments!
Flickr / Zach Frailey : The Uprooted Photographer
From relationships to cars, this can be applied to practically every part of our life.
It might be a lot of hard work, but we’ve grown up working with our hands, driving countless hours to ‘big cities’ and working hard to achieve our goals, some of which were unattainable in our hometown. We know a little patience leads to a lot of ‘worth it.’
Flickr / Don McCullough
A beautiful sunset, a laugh of our grandchild, a nice night on the porch. It doesn’t take much to make us satisfied–and that’s a beautiful thing.
Flickr / www.glynlowe.com
Family, friends, neighbors…you can be sure we’ll always have your back.
Flickr / Daniel
It doesn’t matter if you’re a stranger, we’ll talk to you about life, politics, and goals before we talk about the weather. Although, we might start with the weather as an icebreaker. People from small towns like to talk…a lot.
Only in North Carolina Facebook / Allen Phelps Photography
Church is more than a Sunday occasion, it’s a way of life. It’s likely that several generations will attend the same church. It’s an integrated part of the small town community. And those who don’t go to church? They still have faith and hope even without religion. It’s in the fundamentals of growing up and living in a small town.
Only in North Carolina Facebook Page / Terrah Hewett
Usually to get to our houses (haha) but also in terms of the way we approach life. We don’t need a big city to make us feel important as a person. We prefer our lifestyle and stand by it.
Flickr / Monika Simpkins
Most of us grew up working on a farm, near a farm, or around people who had farms. We’ve learned to depend on the land and animals for a lot of necessities. We also learned that we have to treat both with care and love. Even if we’ve left our small towns, we’ve taken this concept and understanding with us wherever we go.
Only in North Carolina Facebook / Bud Royester
If you find yourself with a flat tire in small town NC, it won’t be long that you’re stranded. You’ll have someone change your tire and even invite you to supper! We keep our values traditional, meaning we always support others and show gratitude as well.
Flickr / Cyndi Calhoun
Sure, it can feel absolutely stifling to grow up in a place where everybody knows everybody. But once you walk away from that world, you realize just how much you appreciate that unique type of upbringing. Even if now, you find yourself in a big city, you always remember your roots. You remember who you were and who you are now. We never run away from our pasts; we embrace them, we sit down and always make sure to ask ‘hey, how ya doin’ and we know we wouldn’t trade who we really are for the world.
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