If you grew up in Roanoke, Virginia or even the surrounding areas, like Botetourt or Salem, you know of the many hidden beauties our hometown is filled with. Roanoke has many great gifts from the leaves in the fall to the Roanoke star at night. We were blessed to grow up somewhere that has the city life, as well as a few miles away you can enjoy the country life.

1. At least one date has consisted of going to the Roanoke Star at night.

It's an icon. A huge metal star that is ugly up close, but when you look at it from afar you see nothing but lights and magic. It is not about going to the Roanoke Star and looking at it, it's about looking over the beautiful city where you grew up. And all guys think it is romantic, and it was the first five times.

2. You look forward to May just for a strawberry shortcake.

The first weekend of May isn't about Cinco De Mayo here, or the end of another school year. What us Roanoke natives look forward to is the Strawberry Festival in Downtown. It is run every year as a fundraiser for the local Community School. You can enjoy live music, vendors, and the best dang strawberries you've ever had.

3. You know to avoid I81 South on football season Saturday's because it is full of "Hokie Traffic"

If you are planning on going to the mall or down south I81 on a Saturday morning during football season, good luck. Take the back way and leave yourself some extra time. The interstate is bumper to bumper heading to Blacksburg with Hokie Flags on almost every car.

5. Hiking is your go to.

Whether its the Peaks of Otter overlooking the lake, the Cascades where you can jump into the waterfalls, Devil's Marbleyard where you can be a daredevil amongst huge boulders, or McAfee's Knob where you overlook the entire city. No matter the trail, the views and settings are amazing.

6. Everyone has their own way of pronouncing towns.

I went to high school in Buchanan, Virginia where we pronounced it Buck-anan. Go maybe 10 minutes north to Cloverdale and you will hear it Buu-canon. But I went to high school there, so I know I'm right. (But they will claim they are to)

7. At least one of your field trips was to a battlefield.

lol, who am I kidding probably at least five of them did. Oh, and Williamsburg and Jamestown was the favorite.

8. Civil War Reenactments aren't a joke.

Believe me they are taken very seriously, and the crowds are bigger than Friday Night Football.

9. You still don't know what a "Hokie" or a "Wahoo" is.

But you are definitely one or the other.

10. Your history classes were actually interesting, because they were all about us.

Thomas Jefferson's famous Monticello is here, we have the famous Jamestown and Williamsburg, Lewis and Clark started their journey here, James Madison founded JMU, and so on and so on.

11. We have come together in tragedy, to support one another.

Unfortunately, we are not amateurs when it comes to coming together as a community after a tragedy. From the Virginia Tech shooting, to the derecho, to the death of our beloved news casters Adam and Alison we have came together. We always lend a helping hand to one another, have vigil's that are attended by hundreds, and help after just one phone call.

12. You are proud to say you're a Virginian, and yes you are from the south.

Yes I am from Virginia, no I am not considered a northerner. I am below the Mason-Dixon Line, and proudly represent the south.