1. We're pretty much known for the University of Montevallo.

When you are introducing yourself and someone asks you where you are from, this is the place that they automatically associate your answer with — they know someone that goes to school there, they almost went there themselves, they came for a college visit. It's a great school with a beautiful campus. We all attend some of the sporting events from time to time. We take a stroll on their brick pathways. We use Flower Hill to take our special occasion pictures. It just makes our small town not so small.

2. We feel like pro-adventurers after wandering through the College Lake Trails for the first time.

I remember a good friend showed me the way that led to a small waterfall and I felt like I now knew a super top secret. I now want to take all of my friends that have never been. It's something simple to do right in your back yard. You don't even have to drive to Oak Mountain State Park to go for one of those good hikes. It's beautiful and so worth the tired legs that you'll have.

3. Where to eat...Zaps or The Tav?

When you want to go out for a decent meal at the end of the week after grabbing Subway sandwiches every day for lunch, there are these two places to always rely on. But get ready because you're about to encounter everybody you know and their brother when you walk through the doors. But that's totally okay. It's always good to see the people you went to high school with and the ones you've just somehow known for years.

4. We're so excited about the fixer-upper projects that have been launched.

Montevallo has always been a great town to live in, but we can all admit that it can use a little TLC. I can't wait to see the finished project! It will be that cute curb appeal that we need. Local stores will bring in more business and maybe even a few new businesses will be started because of it. The investment will be well worth it.

5. Orr Park has that little quaint vibe that we all like to experience from time to time.

The park is so friendly and sweet. My family and I used to go walk there every week. I loved spending my time there as a kid. I loved hunting for the carved faces in the trees. I would wade in the stream after getting hot from playing on the playground. I even rolled down the big hill a few times. I remember Coach Ray bringing us over for our canoe lessons and kite flying time for P.E. class, and it was the best. I'm so tempted all the time to just go buy a hammock and put it up out there and just think about all the good times it offered me. It's a great place to make memories with your family.

6. American Village and the 4th of July fireworks display are AMAZING.

I try to go every year or at least be somewhat near it. They put on a beautiful show every year for our community for free. I look forward to it every year — hands down, the best fireworks show I've ever seen.

7. Sam Hunt knows us!

Sam Hunt's album, Montevallo, was named after the place where he got his inspiration to write his songs. It's where his love life flourished and burned, because he was in love with one of our very own. And now they are happily engaged! Oh, what a good story.

8. We all love living here.

There's just something about Montevallo. I love the way it looks during the Fall. It's like the leaves turn the perfect shades of orange and yellow. I love that everyone is so friendly and you know lots of people. We have a strong community, filled with people that are always wanting to make our town better. I look forward to coming home from college on the weekends. You don't know how great a place is until you leave it behind.