I'm not originally from Iowa. But, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate this state's good qualities. In fact, I'd argue that maybe I see more of what Iowa has to offer. A state's residents, particularly its younger ones, can sometimes get so used to their surroundings that they don't see what's right under their nose.
I love Iowa. I moved her to go to college in 1999 and then left for 11 months after a post-college internship here at The Gazette. I went back to Alaska, where I grew up, because there was a newspaper job there that could pay the bills. I told myself I'd stick it out for a year. I only made it 11 months then I moved back because I missed Iowa so much.
When I tell that story to a roomfull of Iowans they laugh at me. Really, it's true. I swear. I think the thing I missed most was the people. I think they're what make this state so great.
Turns out a lot of your fellow Iowans agree. In Coggon Saturday I asked people what they like about small town Iowa. The most common answer was some variation of the fact that people are so darn nice.
I'd have to agree. I may not live in a small town. But, in Iowa I think any town has that small town feel. Here people smile at you in the grocery store. They say hello as they're walking down the street. They wave from their front stoop. I love that friendliness. I wouldn't live anywhere else.