1. You have to repeat that it’s pronounced SHAR-LOT, not like Charlotte, North Carolina.

No one knows where your town is. Whenever someone asks where you’re from, your standard response is, “You probably haven’t heard of it, it's near Lansing."

Stranger: "Where are you from?"
Me: "SHAR-LOT, Michigan."
Stranger:" Oh, SHAR-LET?"
Me: "No."

2.Walmart or Meijer? Your choice, but that’s all you get.

We don't need all that fancy-shmancy. We don't have a Target, we don't have a Starbucks, we don't have a Lululemon and we definitely don't have a mall. Wait, does Peebles count?

3.Everybody knows everybody and there are no secrets.

You've grown up together and experienced everything together, but in a small town, everybody knows everybody. Even if you don’t know them personally, you know their face and probably where they live. In a small town, there are also no secrets. Unless you lock yourself in a soundproof room, everybody knows your business.

4. Frontier Days

The cowboy boots, the saloon, the arts and crafts, the rodeo, the car show, the live music, the Dancing Deputies and the Frontier Day Parade, you know and love it all...well you know it.

5. The Eaton Place

You've enjoyed breakfast under a mounted moose head or next to a terrifyingly giant stuffed black bear. This place makes you feel safe and at home.

6. The Country Mill on Otto Rd

You've seen this sign at least a million and a half times driving before. Whether you're picking the perfect pumpkin or just in the mood for an apple turnover, you know this is the SPOT.

7. Charlotte Firefighters Play Santa on Christmas Eve

It's a Charlotte Christmas tradition. Every Christmas eve you heard those firetrucks and you looked out your window.

8. Friday night football games

I SAID BRR! IT'S COLD IN HERE. I SAID THERE MUST BE SOME ORIOLES IN THE ATMOSPHERE. I SAID OH-EE OH-EE OH-EE. ICE ICE ICE.

Orange and Black were the only colors you knew. Even if you never made it to a game you could hear it from your living room.

9. Bennett Park - The best and worst things happen here.

You've probably gotten your senior pictures taken here and you've definitely had or been to a birthday party here before.

10. Camo is the New Black

Everything, I repeat EVERYTHING is camouflage. The trucks are decked both inside and out in camouflage. The cell phone cases the purses, the prom dresses, the wedding dresses, the whatever else you can possibly think of IS covered in camouflage. Bet you can't find us though...

11. The Museum at Courthouse Square

You've probably never been inside and you probably don't even know what this building is other than the building they put that giant Santa Clause in front of.

12. Winter meant sledding down the giant snow hill.

This was the original leg day. You're not from Charlotte if you haven't at least seen the giant snow hill.

13. The skatepark/painted rock in front of the skatepark.

Simply iconic.

14. Eaton County Fair

You made sure your schedule was clear for the Eaton County Fair. Nobody paid to get on the rides, they just paid to get in and meet up with their friends.