"I live in Long Valley, New Jersey...you've probably never heard of it" *proceeds to describe what towns it's near that non-natives would actually recognize before having to say it's in Northern Jersey.* Long Valley may be a small, rural town that not many people have visited or even know of, but regardless, there are various reasons why we who call LV home are truly blessed.

The overwhelming sense of community gives the saying, "everyone knows each other" a whole new meaning.

Who else can say that they go to Shop Rite to get three things and come home an hour later because they saw eight people they knew in the process? Everyone knowing each other means that in times of need or loss, our community can come together with huge amounts of support and sympathy for our fellow neighbors. The best part is getting to see and talk to a lot of people every day.

The endless options of food, all within 15 minutes.

There are a million pizza places, diners, or bagel places in or just outside of Long Valley, and every native has their favorite of each. The battles over which is best shows how much we love our food.

Experiencing Long Valley's gorgeousness every day, or as much as possible for those who have gone off to college.

Viewing the entire town from the overlook at Schooley's Mountain or Point Mountain is one of the most breathtaking experiences, or simply driving around town with the windows down and the music blasting taking in our town's beauty.

Living in New Jersey's safest town.

This speaks for itself, everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, and town as a whole, and Long Valley has more than assured this.

Saying "Only in LV" about once a week.

This alone goes to show that Long Valley really is the greatest town. The headlines on The Patch say it all: "Sunday Fun-Day For Herd Of Goats At Long Valley School" and "'Oreo' Cows Escape Long Valley Farm, Go Mooing in The Rain" to name a few of the top stories this year. I mean, who else gets to say they were late getting somewhere because there was cattle on the roads?

Loving Where We Live.

As early as middle school people can't wait to leave the bubble of Long Valley and go far away to college or move somewhere else. But for those of us who have in fact spent time away, we realize everything Long Valley has given us and how much we truly love the town in which we have grown up. Ultimately, we all know how truly blessed we are to call Long Valley home.