I've been hearing a lot lately about how everyone needs to leave the valley, "at least for a little while." "It's good for you," "You'll learn and see so much," "You need to find out what you want out of life," are just a few things I hear very often. I heard it even more often when I was about to graduate high school. I never left the valley. And I'm totally happy. I think that some of us need to leave and find out who we are and what we want out of life. But some of us already know. Some of us already know who we are before we leave this place. I know that a lot of people don't like it here and that's ok. But I love this place. I love the small town that I live in. I know who I am, and I know what I want out of life. And I didn't have to leave to realize that. It did take me a while to figure out that I wanted to marry Michael and be a mom. But I stayed here and it's all turned out great. I can still travel and see lots of places. But what's wrong with living where you grew up? I really love it here. I know that some people leave and they come back different and sometimes improved people, and that's great. But I don't think that leaving is for everyone. I think you need to ask youself two simple questions.
What do you want out of life?
Who are you?
I figured out who I am, and I know what I want out of life. In fact, I'm well on my way to getting all those things I want. I love my job, and my husband. I can't wait to be a mom and I think that is one of the most important things I'm supposed to do here.
There a few things I love about living here.
I love that I can walk outside at night and see the stars.
I love that I am related to a huge population of people and I see them often, especially during basketball season.
I love that I know my neighbors.
I love that I know and love all the people I go to chuch with.
I love that when I answer the phones at work, more than half the time I already know who is on the other side.
I even like going outside and being able to smell the cows.
I like that I can go to the grocery store and know everyone who is there.
I love that I can drive for 10 miles and wave to 10 people, at least.
I like that I can drive through town and know who lives in each house.
I love that I grew up with cousins and so will my kids.
I LOVE living under the bluest skies you'll ever see.
I like that I'm surrounded by mountains.
I like that most of the stake attends a missionary farewell, even though we don't have those anymore. ;)
I like that the town sign says population 750.
I like that I can get pulled over by a cop and the whole town knows about it in 10 minutes.
I like that I knew how to drive a tractor before I knew how to drive a car.
I like that I learned to drive a car when I was 8 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_NOaiQLl6U