I grew up in a small town in the South Shore of Massachusetts, and I’ve lived here ever since. I’ve fallen in love with its little quirks, every single one of them. And since I went off to college, all I ever do is compare the South Shore to anything that possibly reminds me of it. And no matter what, I know that no other place can compare, and no other place could have more of my love.

Because of this love that has grown tremendously within my twenty years of existence in this small town in this little area, I decided to explain just a handful of the many reasons why I’m in love with home.

1. Marylou's

Find anyone who lives in the South Shore, ask them their favorite coffee place, and I guarantee 98% of the time, they will say Marylou's. It's one of my favorite things about coming home (besides seeing my family)! Every time I do come home, I have to go to Marylou's. It's a big deal to me. There's not much else to say other than the fact that Marylou's is like heaven in a cup. I tend to go when I want to treat myself (so like every Friday before work in the summer!!), or if I'm craving ice cream but need coffee. At Marylou's, I can kill two birds with one stone (Girl Scout Cookie with just a little bit of milk! Tastes just like mint chocolate chip ice cream!) I could go on and on about my undying love and devotion for Marylou's... and speaking of that, I'm home right now, so I might as well go get a cup!

2. Dunkin Donuts

All of us "Massholes" live and breathe Dunkin Donuts (as I'm sure everyone else in the states know)! And on all those regular days of the week, you'll find me with a medium iced coffee from dunks. Even if it's like 5 degrees and a snowstorm outside, you'll still find me with an iced coffee! We are devoted to these shops, some may even say obsessed or deranged, but who cares! Their coffee is delicious and I'll go everyday (every day that I don't go to Marylou's) until the day I die.

3. Humarock, MA

Even when I talk to my friends who I've grown up with here in the South Shore don't all know about Humarock which is crazy to me because any day in the summer, you'll find me and my family there. Humarock is a little part of Scituate, MA and is known for it's beach. The main part is a long road surrounded by the ocean on one side and the river on the other. Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming, and that's one of my favorite parts. My family and I will be cruising down the river in our boat headed for the Spit (one of the best beaches ever - a sandbar that only comes out during low tide and generally only accessed by boat, so plan accordingly!!!!), and we'll pass by tons of boats and everyone in those boats will wave, just showing how happy this area is.

4. Duxbury Beach

I am so thankful that we have beaches just down the street in the South Shore (and just twenty minutes from my house!!!)! One of these beaches is Duxbury beach. Growing up in the South Shore, you are bound to go to Duxbury beach countless of times in the summer! Bring a car load of friends, split the cost of parking and stay on the beach for the entire day! Whether you want to take a dip, take a nap, or take a walk down the beach, you've got options and can do it all in one day! And if you're feeling it, you can cool off and end the day with a nice scoop of ice cream or Italian ice from the snack shack.

5. Nantasket Beach

Woohoo for more beaches on the South Shore!!! And Nantasket has so much to offer! From the beach and beautiful views to a whole strip full of restaurants, ice cream shops, arcades, and even a carousel! You go to the beach for the day, then you go hang out along the boardwalk during the night! There's even a huge carnival at the beginning of the summer!!! And yes, this is also another summer stop, but summers in the South Shore are the bees knees and I couldn't be happier for them!

6. Plymouth

The pilgrims landed here! (or so they say!) There's even a giant rock that says so! But anyway, Plymouth has always been one towns ever. Plymouth Harbor is so beautiful and calm and perfect. Whether you want to just walk around and grab a bite to eat, go on a whale watch during the day, or walk the jetty at night, you can do it all in one day! And if you just walk a little bit more down the street, you'll see the replica of the Mayflower! So of course, you'll have a great day and you'll get a nice history lesson about the early days of America! What more could you want! (Also, be sure to check out Cupcake Charlie's!! They were on Cupcake Wars!!)

7. LOCATION (aka being super close to both Boston and the Cape!!)

I already mentioned being super close to the ocean, but that's not just it! Being in the South Shore of Massachusetts means you're just 45 minutes from Boston or just 25 minutes to the T in Braintree, but it also means you're just 45 minutes to the Sagamore Bridge and the Cape. Being able to easily go into the city any day in the summer to go walk around Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market or to go to the aquarium for the millionth time that year? Sounds perfect to me! Being able to drive down route 3 on a summer day to go to the beach or grab some ice cream or take 2 hours and get to P-town for the night? Also sounds perfect to me!

8. Small Towns

Small towns mean you know everyone in your school system. From the early kindergarten days all the way to high school, you grow up with the same people, and they become your best friends. I've had a best friend since my very first day of pre-school, and I know that she'll be in my wedding some day, and I'm SO thankful for my little town for bringing her into my life!

9. Everywhere you go, you're bound to find someone you know.

From going grocery shopping to the movies, and from the mall to that restaurant across towns, you are bound to find someone you know. And growing up seeing everyone you know everywhere you go, you become a talker!! And that means you'll probably end up talking for hours, so all of us know to schedule our errands out because we may be there longer than anticipated!

10. My whole family is here.

My gradparents live 5 minutes down the road, and my aunt lives across the street, and my great aunt lives down the street from them. My other aunt and cousins live just across the Sagamore Bridge, and my dad's side of the family all live my the water. We all are less than an hour from each other, and that is probably my favorite part. I'm a homebody and I'm extremely close to my entire extended family, and so being in such close proximity is such a blessing. Any kind of holiday (Christmas, a birthday, a graduation, etc.), we can easily all come together to celebrate, and I am so thankful for that and for being so close both in distance and in our hearts.

Now, I hope anyone who lives in the south shore has gained a larger appreciation for this quaint area, and for anyone who has never been, I encourage you to come visit one day. There may not always be that much to do, but I can guarantee you’ll find someone (like me!) who can show you the best of the best and make your days full of exciting adventures that will make great memories. I know I’ve had a blast living here, and I know that when I grow up, have a job, and have a family, the first place I’m looking at for houses when I want to settle down will be in the South Shore. There is no doubt in my mind. I want my children to have the same kind of genuine, fun, and easygoing life I’ve been having.

I’m so thankful to call this place my home, and I hope to do so for the rest of my life.