Lake Wylie. A scenic lake and suburb located just south of Charlotte, NC, and what I identify as my ‘home-town.’ For almost my entire life I have lived in Lake Wylie, and I’ve decided to compile a list of things that you’ll understand if you grew up in the area.

1. The Lake.

There’s a good chance that either your family, or someone you know owns a boat. That means you spent your summers on the water swimming, tubing, wakeboarding or water-skiing.

2. The ‘25 minute rule.’

Growing up in Lake Wylie means that depending on which direction you turn, you know that in about 25 minutes, you can be in uptown Charlotte or in the middle of a cow pasture.

3. Carowinds and Scarowinds.

Amusement parks are fun, but living 15 minutes from an amusement park is, even more, fun. Growing up in Lake Wylie meant that during the summer, when you weren’t on the water you were probably wandering around Carowinds. As the weather turned cooler, you anticipated the ‘S’ being placed on the park’s entrance sign turning it into a giant haunted park. Season passes were coveted items.

4. Rivergate.

When Rivergate shopping center opened your life was changed for the better. Being a short drive from Lake Wylie, you probably spent some of your high school days wandering around Rivergate with friends and buying tons of unnecessary things at Target.

5. Walmart opening was a big deal.

When the Walmart in Lake Wylie opened it was huge. As a kid/teenager, you probably didn’t really care that much, but your parents probably talked (more than you wanted them to) about how nice it was not to have to drive to York, Gastonia, Newport or Fort Mill to go to Wally-World.

6. Rey Azteca.

Did you even grow up in Lake Wylie if you didn’t frequent the staple Mexican restaurant? Bonus: now that we’re ~grown ups~ we can get margs with our queso.