I am from Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Rutherfordton is a small town in western North Carolina and is part of Rutherford County. Growing up, I hated living here. I always felt like I was bored and that there really wasn't anything to do in this place. It wasn't until I started to grow up that I began to really appreciate my home.

Like I said, Rutherfordton is a small town. The population here is around 4,000 people. So you get to know lots of people pretty quickly. It's actually odd when you meet someone that lives here that you didn't already know. While sometimes it can be made out that living in a small town is terrifying because everybody knows your business, which is kind of true, that's actually one of the best parts of Rutherfordton. Lots of people know you and you know lots of people. The more friends, the merrier, right? With Rutherford county's motto being "small town friendly," you really do witness a huge sense of hospitality from others. With friendly attitudes and those sweet, southern drawls, it's hard not to love the people in this town.

In Rutherfordton, it seems like there isn't much to do. We don't have a lot of fancy restaurants and we only have a few super cool attractions, but that's where you have to get creative and seek adventure. While there are times when it is just nice to chill or sleep in, there actually are lots of fun opportunities for people in Rutherfordton. We love sporting events. There's a good chance that if you go watch a sport in the county, you'll see some friends there, and you'll have a really great time. There are plenty of other events that happen in the county, like festivals and music nights, but even when there are no events going on, you can create your own fun.

Rutherford county has a little bit of everything; from creeks to mountains. Nothing says "fun in Rutherfordton" to me more than trying to find a good swimming spot on the Broad or Green River, game nights with friends, scavenger hunts, or late nights at Sonic. Because you have to get creative with things to keep you busy, most of the time, you do have a really fun time doing whatever it is you choose to do in Ro. Co.

So, now, there really isn't a lot that I don't actually like about my hometown. Most of the time, the biggest problem I have here is feeling overwhelmed with love and support, which is never a bad problem to have. I'm thankful for the opportunities that my home has blessed me with throughout my life, for the people I've met, and the adventures that this town has had to offer me. I will always remember where I came from, and always be proud to call this place home.