Where you grow up shapes who you are as a person. From the people you meet to the experiences you have, to the memories you make, growing up in a small town is such a blessing. Washington, Illinois is full of character. I have cherished every single moment living here, and am so proud to be a "Washingtonian." Here are 25 telltale signs that you grew up in this amazing town:

1. If you were not at the Friday night football games, you were assumed to be sick or quite possibly dead.

2. You could not make a trip to the supermarket without bumping into at least 2 family friends and your math teacher.

3. You cannot help but cringe when people pronounce the town as WARSHINGTON.

4. You still do not even understand what Sunnyland is. Another city? A part of Washington? Who knows?

5. The Ice Cream Shack was the go to for any hot summer day.

6. If you did not get your first kiss in middle school on "The Hill" at a football game, you convinced yourself you would never find love.

7. The Cherry Festival was the equivalent to Coney Island.

8. You are still confused why it was called The Cherry Festival. Why cherries?

9. Hollands Mercantile was a consistent destination for a blue raspberry shaved ice and the perfect sugar high.

10. When you turned onto your street you waved to all of your neighbors that were outside.

11. You were upset that your friend two houses down went to a different elementary and middle school than you. Thanks, school district maps.

12. You came home sunburnt one too many times after spending a whole day at the Washington Park Pool in the summer.

13. You first learned to drive in the Illinois Central College parking lot.

14. The playground at Lincoln Grade School was the almighty grail of playgrounds.

15. You always get the "oh, is that where the big tornado hit?" when you tell people where you are from.

16. You probably snuck into the gym at Five Points at least once by going upstairs and using the side entrance.

17. Mr. Schermerhorn is easily the most famous educator to walk the halls of Washington Community High School.

18. You are still wondering how both Walgreens and CVS have survived on the same corner.

19. KEPS was your celebration destination after a good ol' team victory.

20. You still have nightmares about the clay sculptures staring at you through the window of the unmarked workshop right off of the Square.

21. Post-Prom at the high school was arguably better than the actual prom.

22. You have a deep hatred for Metamora.

23. You always stayed to watch the band perform at half-time of the football games.

24.You bleed Panther Pride wherever you go.

25. NO MATTER WHERE YOU END UP IN LIFE, WASHINGTON WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPOT IN YOUR HEART.

I wouldn't want to have grown up anywhere else. Thank you, Washington, Illinois, for everything that you have showed me. I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my small town.