A few weeks ago, a class discussion led to the topic of hometowns. I was shocked that I was only one of two who expressed true love and loyalty for ours. Then I remembered, I am not alone in loving the great city of Beverly, Massachusetts. It was truly the best place to grow up. So, without further adieu, here are nineteen ways you know you're from Bev.

1. Lighthouse: The spot

What is Hospital Point? Unimportant, the lighthouse is everyone’s spot to go hang out with friends, drink coffee and just “chill”.

2. Lynch Park: local heaven on Earth

Whenever out of town family or friends from school come to visit you, you immediately take them to Lynch to show why you are indeed superior to everyone else.

3. You have a Lynch Park sticker collection on your windshield dating back to the Bush Administration.

And getting a new windshield and losing them is actually your worst nightmare.

4. You have a pretty strong opinion on Beverly vs. Beverly Farms.

Let’s not get started on West Beach exclusivity.

5. What’s Brewin: always the Saturday morning spot.

If Neil and Nate don’t know your name and order, try harder. And if you don’t see at least five people you know while in there, you’ve got some work to do. A Brewin iced coffee is pretty much the elixir of life for those crazy Beverly kids.

6. It’s not uncommon to ask someone what Mass they’re going to for Christmas or Easter.

“Hey are you going to the 8:15 at St. John’s?” “Nah man, I wanted to go to the 9:30 at St. Margaret’s but my mom is making us go to the 7:30 at St. Mary’s.”

7. You know where every Dunkin' Donut’s in the city is.

And you have your favorite one, with your favorite workers. (Shoutout Cville Dunks and Arthur)

8. It’s the Beverly/Salem bridge not the Salem/Beverly bridge.

And you know Beverly will always beat Salem on Thanksgiving. Just a fact.

9. Homecoming fireworks were the highlight of your summer during your high school years.

What happens at the Point, stays at the Point.

10. You grew up going to a camp or playground program for the Rec Department.

Not only this, but you were fiercely loyal to your park and would to fight to the death in Camps vs. Park activities. Bonus: Lip Sync was the main event of your summer.

11. Pete Frates is your hero.

Angie Miller may have given good old Bevtown its 15 minutes of fame, but you’re always on board the FrateTrain to Strike Out ALS. I mean, you did the ice bucket challenge before it was cool!

12. You will stand by Nick’s Roast Beef no matter what.

A fine establishment that serves heaven in between two buns.

13. Your childhood weekends were spent playing Beverly Youth Soccer or Little League.

It’s really just a rite of passage. Parents loved it too! (Not)

14. You know all the ice cream places in Beverly and the North Shore.

Another issue of loyalty, you always go to your favorite and feel weird getting Mocha Chip with chocolate jimmies from someone else.

15. Gloucester and the Cape may have “better” beaches but Rice’s and Dirty Dane have your heart.

One of the best parts of living near the ocean: only having to drive 5 minutes and pay $0 to enjoy some sun and sand time.

16. Barbara’s Hangups on Exit 20B is a local landmark.

Does Barbara actually have any hangups or she is just fooling us all? Also, what even are these “hangups?” Just another sign on 128 that you’re almost home.

17. You most definitely had a birthday party at the Roller Palace or Soccer etc.

Nothing says “I’m turning 10!” like the infamous burnt pizza, endless supply of Air Heads and a blinking pacifier.

18. Your mom and grandmother always dragged you to the North Shore Music Theater.

Nothing says Christmas like another “A Christmas Carol” with David Coffee as Scrooge.

19. No matter how you go, or how long you are gone, you know Beverly is home. Once a townie, always a townie.