An Army Behind Us

Last weekend I attended my 15 year high school reunion in my hometown. It was a whirlwind experience to say the least! I survived with hardly any sleep combined with too little to eat... and yes, I drank my weight in beer. By the time I pulled back in my own drive on Sunday night, my mind was reeling, my feet were swollen and blistered beyond recognition, my eyes were burning and blood red, but I was sporting a big ole grin. It was all worth it. More than a week later, I am just now coming down off that "Homestead Weekend Buzz" and have given great thought to all the things I learned (or finally realized, rather) over those 3 days.

I graduated from a school in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, but did most of my growing up in Princeton, Illinois. Although I hold both places very dear to my heart, Princeton will always be "home". The house I lived in when I was brought home from the hospital as a newborn is still there. It's where most of my family still lives. It's where I ran and played in the creeks and cemetaries with my friends, sustained my first broken bone in dance class, had "secret" forts all over town, learned to ride my bike, received my first kiss, and the list goes on and on as far as my memory will allow. Until the day I die, I will always feel a connection with Princeton. Most of all, that connection lies within the people who used to live there, or still do.

When you grow up in a small town, you automatically have an "army" of friends behind you forever if you choose it to be that way (which I do!). The best part is, that "army" may not have even been the people you hung around in school. This would be my favorite part of growing older, having an open mind and heart, and still having a bond with my small town. See, I was a shy one when I was younger so I was only really close to just a few kids. Some of those people have gone from my current life, and that's probably for the better. Some I miss dearly. Some are still a part of my daily life. But now that I've, ahem, "found my voice" and am allowing more people into my circle of trust, I'm growing to love and appreciate the people who associated with differing crowds as well. I am blessed to have those "new" old acquaintances back in my life for a second chance at friendship. If it were up to me, I'd never lose track of any of them again.

Just in the last year, I've had to call in my Princeton troops for support quite a few times. It always amazes me the amount of people who will rush to my aid with just a text, a quick phone call, or a shout-out on Facebook. In the same breath, I would drop everything if someone in Princeton needed me... I have, actually, and haven't thought twice about it. You know, I've heard it said that "small towns build you up". I agree with that statement although I don't think it's the town. It's the people in it. Small towns have an unspoken bond among their residents (past and present), and I'm grateful to still be a part of it. I am equally thankful that I see it. Some don't.

So, thank you, my friends. You are the ones who make my hometown a place to be proud of, a place I know I'm always welcome at someone's house even if I'm a hot mess (or better yet, on a spastic roll and looking for fun!), a place I can be myself without worrying that I'll never be invited back, and a place where we can all gather and have good times despite our differences. Simply stated, we grew up together, and that seems to be enough for most. It's enough for me. You build me up and I hope I build you up. Life can be rough but as long as we always have a place to call home and that built-in army behind us, it will be okay. 

Don't believe me? Call. I'll answer.

Much Love - Dani