Suburban Myth

Saturday mornings are arguably the busiest time of the week. The farmers markets are bustling with couples buying their locally grown produce and handmade soaps. The soccer fields roar as crowds of families cheer on their players. As you drive through the countless neighborhoods, the smell of fresh cut grass creeps in through the window. It sounds like a suburban myth, but its exactly what draws the droves of new families moving in weekly: The sense of togetherness and pride in the community. There is a reason it was ranked number two in the nation for safety and places to raise a family and you can get lost in the euphoria of that bubble.

Having grown up in this bubble, it was easy to have misconceptions about the way the world works. You can leave your door unlocked or your bike on the porch, knowing that it will still be there tomorrow. It was not until I was a young adult that I learned that this way of thinking was uncommon and that the world could be a scary place. After learning this lesson the hard way, I quickly returned to my hometown, knowing that I could not imagine raising my kids outside of the bubble.

Gilbert has always had a unique mix of rural and suburban with just a touch of urban. You can walk through the mall and eat at the food court and then get into your car and drive five minutes to the farm fields and silos. I have always had a love for the smell of manure. You might think that sounds disgusting, but for me is stirs and awakens memories from my youth. Memories of my brothers and sisters and I walking around our neighborhood to the park at night, when the air had finally started to cool down. Memories of my first kiss, standing on my porch so nervous because I had liked this guy since before I can remember. Memories of my best friend and I getting lost on our way to Target because we could not remember if we were supposed to turn left or right on Pecos road. Although many of those dairy farms are long gone, now rows of houses, parks, community pools, and grocery stores, there are still a few spots left in town that you can catch the smell on a warm night.

There is always the argument that kids get bored in a small town; there is not enough to occupy their time. I never felt that to be true when I was younger and as the town has grown, it has become even less so. There are movies and mini golf, clubs and sports, there is even a youth theater where you can watch amazingly talented kids perform every Friday and Saturday. There is something for every interest and hobby and the youth-based culture creates a place for kids and teens to thrive. You are only bored if you want to be.

I have been very blessed with the opportunity to not only grow up here, but also to raise my kids in this suburban paradise. As a teen I wanted to run far away. I needed something bigger. I needed more. I could not see this town for the treasure that it is. In some ways I love that the world has now acknowledged it as such a treasure, but with the crowds pouring in, sometimes (on a bad day) I miss our hidden gem. There is now a line everywhere you go. Traffic can be a nightmare. You end up wait listed whenever you sign up for something new. I selfishly miss the peace and solitude. However, most days I am grateful for those who have been able to discover it. They bring a small sense of newness to our once small farming community. They have helped create and mold this beautiful new type of community, one that is made to fit and accommodate all who seek it.