Nothing beats small town livin' on nights like tonight. I was reminded of good ol' Cuba tonight after my friend Sean and I went for a walk around town. It was an exceptionally chilly walk. In fact, I believe both of us at some point during the walk stated that it was probably the coldest weather we had ever walked in leisurely. Anyway, the walk made me think about Cuba because we just walked and talked and had no true destination in mind similar to when I was younger and I used to go on bike rides with one of my friends for hours without any real place to go. I like that about small towns. You can walk/ride for blocks and blocks and just enjoy the comfort of knowing the folks next door and the kids down the street. I often contemplate where I see myself settling eventually because I've always been torn between the two extremes; city life and small town livin'. I would love to give my kids (if I have kids) the type of childhood I had. It was just like the movies. We played little league until it was dark, played hide n seek across town, went to the ice cream shop down the street, and took our bikes everywhere. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I do know that I don't necessarily see myself moving back to a town like mine. There are no jobs there and the closest thing to civilization is 1 1/2 hours away. I live for doing different, new things. That's why I like the location of where I am right now. I get the small town feel with "city life" just 30 mins away. I don't mind driving to get where I need to be, but if I have a family that will be one thing I'd have to consider.
Over the years, especially my last two years in college, I learned a lot about who I am and what really makes me happy. I've learned that I like to go out to the bar to watch the game and eat chicken wings and drink beer. I like to get dressed up and go out for a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant. I like to just take long walks without a destination. I like to go exploring and be outdoors. I like to be classy, but I like to get dirty. I like to drive go carts and play basketball. And I like to get manicures and drink fancy drinks. When I really sit down to think about what the "perfect date would be" I never really know because I like to do it all. And I think I finally realized this after being away from home and learning that small town livin' made me a "jack of all trades" so to speak when it comes to keeping me entertained. I love that I'm up for anything and like to do different things. I like me.
What I guess I'm saying is tonight was a great night to reflect on what my parents gave me as a child. My dad was my coach and my mom was my biggest fan. I grew up knowing everyone in my town and playing with the kids down the street. I can honestly say that I am the way I am today because my parents let us be kids and run around until dinner time. We never watched tv...we never wanted to watch tv- we were always outside. If the day comes and I have a family of my own, I hope I can be the type of parent my parents were for me.
So I leave you with a song that yes gets me every time...it's a song that makes me think about home and my friends from college. We used to always play it...no matter where we were or what we were doing...
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