I am from Elizabethton, Tennessee

 

I am from the mountains of Southwest Virginia, from the heart of Appalachia and from The South.

 

I am from backyard barbeques and bonfires with neighbors and

 Boating and getting sunburnt on the lake with my best friends

 

I am from sweet tea being the only think I drink,

fried chicken being a staple meal item, and

grilling every food item possible

 

I am from going to farmer’s markets on Saturdays to listen to music and buy fresh produce from the farmers

and music festivals getting to listen to some of Appalachia’s most genuine musicians

 to s’mores from the fire that my dad has tended to for hours and

living for summertime by the lake

 

I am from Highlands Fellowship, Sunday mornings being greeted by the volunteers and worshipping with a church where I feel at home

 

I am from football- Friday Night Lights watching my high school football, Saturdays spent watching college football, and Sundays spent watching NFL football

 

I am from Christmas Eve family reunions where you see those who you want to see and those you could stand not seeing,

and full feasts for cooked by my nana every time the family is together

 

I am from a love and fascination of experiencing and seeing big cities and skylines

to a love of the enjoying and hiking in the mountains and valleys

 

I am from Chattanooga, Tennessee; where my mom is from, where most of my family is from, and where I feel like I belong

 

I am from my dad teaching me how to cook all of my favorite meals and sharing with me his love of music and concerts and sports,

To dragging my mom shopping with me and showing me the person I want to be

 

But most of all, I am from Abingdon, Virginia.

The small town that I never thought I would grow to love so much and

That I am proud to call it my hometown