I was raised in the same city of Plymouth, Michigan my whole life.

I remember growing up experiencing the joys of my town and eventually hitting the teenage stage where I would hear Kelly Clarkston's Breakaway and wonder what else was out there. I began to look at where I grew up differently and had the itch to go explore and find out the answer to the question. I took an internship in Disney earlier this year, before I left I was beyond excited to leave and go somewhere new. The day before I left I remember laying on my floor crying realizing the place I grew up was home and it was in that moment I didn't want to leave what I was so familiar to. I ended up leaving and having a great time in Disney but there were so many things I found myself missing while being away from home and my town.

Such as:

1. There is no place like Leo's.

I didn't realize this until one night when I was craving everything off of the menu. Leo's is normally my go to for quick service, delicious food and a reasonable price. It's a popular place in town and there's a running line "If you came home and didn't have Leo's did you really come home?" Something about the place is one of my favorite spots to go to eat. Funny part is, I have never even met Leo.

2. The Downtown area is beautiful all times of the year.

Downtown Plymouth is gorgeous year round. During Winter the snow and Christmas Trees and lights make it look straight out of a Hallmark movie, during the spring the fountain opens up and is beautiful with the spring, the summer is the popular teen hangout. Every middle schooler is found walking Downtown Plymouth the last day of school. During September and May from Prom to Homecoming pictures the fountain is an icon.

3. Plymouth is a beautiful place to get married

I have seen many weddings take place in my town, the churches are beautiful, and there are many great photo ops with stunning backdrops. I have seen wedding pictures taken with the street and traffic light as the backdrop and it looks as if the picture came from Bridal mag.

4. The festivals bring the community together.

Plymouth holds many festivals throughout the year. Art in the Park during July, Fall Fest in September, Ice Fest in Janurary, and the Fourth of July Parade brings the community together. Each event with all of the people causes you to feel the sense of community. During Art in the Park people have tents and they can sell their art, during the Fall Fest High School sports teams and the Marching Band participates in selling or volunteering. There isn't a Friday night in the summer where you drive downtown and see it empty. Music in the park draws crowds old and young, the ice cream places and many restaurants make it a great date night.

5. The three schools one park.

I hated "The Park" when I went there, three schools on one campus having to walk outside after every class in blizzards and frigid temps. After graduating and reflecting it is cool to say I went to a High School like no other in the country. We had Canton Chiefs, Salem Rocks and Plymouth Wildcats all with their own sport teams, versing one another. Fridays there were kids from all three schools in the same class as what would be their rival that night. It is unique in it's own way, different homecomings and school mascots and colors. As different as the schools might have been we were able to go to all of the Homecomings if we wanted to, there was only one marching band composed from all three schools, and there was one prom. Going to a huge High School prepared a lot of students for what college is like.

6. We come together when times are rough.

I learned this my Freshman year of High School during the SJ5K, a 5k for a fellow student who went through a terrible time and was very sick. The community came together on a freezing, rainy April morning to support "Super Jess" From that year on it has been an annual event. It brings tears to my eyes every time I attend to see how much the community rallies together for our neighbors. When my friend passed away senior year of High School his friends wore camouflage, I was fortunate enough to meet other students who didn't know Patrick directly but wanted to support his friends. Whatever rough situation people in the town may be going through it is so reassuring to know how many supportive people there are.

7. Being in a safe area but not far from Detroit has its perks

Detroit being one of the scariest places in the nation, it's nice to live in the suburbs but close enough to go to a Tigers game or experience going to the beautiful Fox. Detroit has crime, but it also has great sports venues, concerts and festivals throughout the year.

8. Close enough to the city, close enough to the country.

If you drive past Northridge after about 10 minutes you will reach the country side, dirt roads and smaller towns. Backroads that have been danced on, open fields that have been used for star gazing, and further enough away from Detroit to see the stars perfectly on a clear night. While one direction will be closer to Detroit and the action, the opposite way will lead you down your own Dirt Road Diary.

9. There are many places to EAT

Foodies like myself love the fact there are so many places to eat. Downtown Plymouth in itself has many restaurants and bars, there is a McDonalds and Arby's on almost every road, there are many options from sit down to fast food or something in between like Jimmy Johns or Subway. Not to forget even grocery stores such as Busch's have great food options like their salad bar or fresh sandwich options! There are so many places to choose from filling the foodies heart and stomach with joy.

10. No matter where you go in life you will always wonder about home.

I had the option to leave and move over 1,000 miles away for good next summer. I was driving one day when I realized why would I want to leave? Country music has proved through music time and time again you will miss where you came from. I chose to stay home, and if I do move out it will be close enough to Plymouth to never allow myself to miss home and my town. After all, Leo's can solve any bad day.