"The love language in our household is sarcasm," Cindy told me as she and her husband, Bill, joked around. And all seven of their children and their eight grandchildren are fluent as well. Bill and Cindy will have their 43rd anniversary soon, and they met in high school in Kansas City, where one of them was introverted and the other was a troublemaker—though they didn't specify which was which.

They moved to Warsaw, Missouri (population 2,683), 32 years ago and like the small-town vibes. But they also enjoy traveling, when that's possible. Bill is a home builder. In fact, he built the Airbnb I stayed in while I was there. He also makes knives and sells them at the local market. Cindy homeschooled all their children over a span of thirty-two years, and after they were done, she taught preschool. These days she maintains and decorates the Airbnb.

The main street in Warsaw was pretty empty when I met them, but at exactly 10, when the stores opened, the town really woke up. Cindy advised me to return to the area during the summer or fall to enjoy its lushness. I hope to do that!