I am the very proud daughter of my mother who happens to be Puerto Rican. As a Puerto Rican child, there are a ton of things you become acquainted with and know all of your life, that other kids don't. Here are just a few.

1. Arroz con gandules

My mouth is watering just looking at it. What a beautiful sight.

2. Pasteles

These may appear to be unappetizing to the foolish, but you know that when you see those wrappers in a pot, you'll have a feast. They're our version of tamales, and they're delicious.

3. Goya Products (Sofrito, Adobo, Sazon)

If it tastes good, it was made with a Goya product.

4. Butter?...Nope!

Whether it's leftovers or sofrito, you can never find the butter on the first try. Ever.

5. Chupacabra

My mom used to threaten me with this all the time. A chupacabra is kind of like Puerto Rico's Big Foot, except he runs around sucking the blood of all the goats. Pretty terrifying.

6. Coqui

Only found in Puerto Rico, nothing compares to sleeping in the rain and hearing the sound of the coquis when you visit.

7. Playing Dominoes

Bored? Let's play dominoes!

8. Platanos (tostones, mofongo, maduros, you name it)

Honestly, platanos are an entirely different food group.

9. Vicks

This cured every single sickness. No questions asked.

10. El Cuco

El Cuco is our version of "the boogie man," and every Puerto Rican parent's way to get their child to behave.

11. Cookie/Sewing can

A box filled with disappointment to every Puerto Rican child. You think maybe today there will actually be cookies, but nope...it's still your abuela's sewing kit.

12. Your Birth Name vs. When Your Mom Is Pissed Name

Pretty much every single Hispanic kid understands this struggle, but you have two different names: Your normal everyday name and the name your mom screams through the house when she's mad. Suddenly, you have two middle names and three last names, and before she can finish her sentence, you sprint to her to find out what you did wrong. Or hide. Whichever one seems safer.

13. Arepas

Whether it's to eat them with soup or with beans, you know that nobody makes these better than your mom.

14.Chancleta

If you heard your mom reach for her shoe, you knew you were going to get it. Pow pow.

15. Guava, Cheese, and Crackers

The go-to appetizer or ultimate snack.

16. Dancing

Yeah, Puerto Ricans are the masters of dancing. Must be our incredible music.

17. Dinner Call

This is when your mom screams that dinner is ready, no matter where in the house you are. You can be in the kitchen and she'll still scream "DINNER'S READY!"

18. Pointing With Lips

Your titi, your mom, your abuela...everyone does the same thing.

19. Vacuum Wakeup Call

When you wake up to the sound of the vacuum, you know you better get up and help. Family is coming.

20. Quenepas

These little fruits are something my cousins would climb trees to get every time I visited. You crack open the green skin and suck off the flesh from the pits. I wish I had some right now.

21. Pilones

These lollipops are my mom's absolute favorite candies, and she always asks my abuela to send some over when she can. And when she's not looking, I steal a few (sorry mom).

22. Alcapurrias

Made with ground beef, plaintains and yautía root, when my dad and I hear these frying, we team up, sneak into the kitchen and take whatever's ready and confuse my abuela. Is it mean? Maybe. But they're too good to not steal.

23. Pernil

Nothing makes the house smell better than pernil. This is just shredded pork, but don't underestimate its tastiness.

24. Coquito

This is Puerto Rico's version of eggnog, made with rum, coconut milk, sweet condensed milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. If you ever want an alternative, you'll probably fall in love with it.

25. Flan

The BEST dessert EVER. Mi titi makes the BEST flan.

26. Pollo Guisado

Chicken and potatoes in a thick stew over rice = something I crave 24/7. God bless my mom.

27. Bacalao

This is something my dad always eats, and growing up I just thought these were bananas. But nope, it's fish. Nevertheless, he loves it A LOT.

28. Bay leaves

Maybe it's just me, but I'm 99% sure my mom put these in EVERYTHING. Not sure what they do, but I know that every time I accidentally bit into one, the food tastes phenomenal.

29. Pina Coladas

Okay, people always debate where pina coladas come from, but I have yet to find a pina colada that beats the ones my mom makes. So, I'm giving credit to my background.

30. A BIG Family

If it weren't for the HUGE family you grew up with, you would have never known any of these things. And one things for sure: Puerto Ricans truly understand the meaning of family.

Being Puerto Rican is one of the biggest parts of my identity, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.