I drive a truck, wear my boots and love the outdoors. I like my peace and quiet, open roads, big oak trees and wild grass. Not pavement, shopping centers, parking lots, stop lights and sidewalks.

I’ve been lucky enough to have been a part of the same school district since kindergarten. I’ve lived in Fairview since I was 5 years old. When I first moved here, Stacy Road was a single lane connection between 1378 and Highway 75. So much has changed over the years, and it’s not fair. Why can’t we keep it country? Love it, or leave it.

I miss when the traffic jams were caused by the farmer driving their John Deere tractors on the road for a quarter mile to get to the neighbor’s land, not because there’s a big game at the Allen Event Center. I miss when I could go on a long CD (country drive) to clear my head and not be stopped because there’s construction on the road. I miss when I didn’t have to worry about my brother playing with the neighborhood kids in the cul-de-sac because now there’s too many people driving around talking on the phone. What has happened to our sweet little Fairview?

Before, when I told someone where I was from they’d respond with, “Wait where is that?” Now they say, “Oh yeah the Villages of Fairview!” No, that’s not what defines Fairview. Fairview was and still should be known for it’s Country Store on the side of the road out by Heritage Ranch, or The Heard Museum.

I’m scared Lucas is next and that going out to the lake, swimming and fishing and enjoying the fresh air may soon be a thing of the past. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone out to Brockdale Park and sat on my tailgate looking over the water. Last week when I drove out there I was frightened by the sign for the new neighborhood. I have no doubt there will be some gorgeous houses out there. But that will ruin the clear open star filled skies at my favourite spot. You know that neighborhood behind Hart Elementary? Well that portion of land marks one of my favourite childhood memories. My father took me dove hunting for the first time out there when it was just a corn field. To this day, I can’t help but smile as I pass by.

During the summer all my friends and I do is ride around, windows down, enjoying the backroads. Seeing the little country farmers market on the side of the road in Fairview warms my heart. I’ve eaten some of the best fruit from there. It’s all home grown, in my hometown.

I get it, money is the main priority. But some things should be left untouched and undeveloped. At this rate, in a couple years there won’t be any land left to develop and this small town will resemble an urban city community.

I’ve grown up in Fairview. Just like myself, my hometown is growing and maturing in itself. The hardest part about this is knowing I’m going to go off to college in the fall, and when I return, things won’t be the same.