Like many others, I identify strongly with where I come from. For the nearly 94,000 residents, being from Brockton is part of who we are. Although Brockton is such a large city, there are some things that we all have in common.

1. People don’t believe you when you say your graduating class was about 1,000 kids.

Yes, that is a lot of students. No, I did not know everyone in my graduating class.

2. You say you’re from the north, south, east or west side when introducing yourself to other Brocktonians.

Because just saying you’re from Brockton isn’t enough.

3. You mourned the closing of the Friendly’s on Belmont Street.

Everyone went there, but somehow it still wasn’t pulling in enough money?

4. The Friday night football games are a must see.

Between our pride in our athletes to our enthusiasm about the half-time show, the football games are always packed.

5. You know not to drive down Belmont St or Forrest Ave at 1:59 p.m.

That’s a no-go-zone unless you want to be sitting in traffic for about an hour or dodging high schoolers left and right.

6. You get excited around Thanksgiving because that means the holiday parade and concert are coming!

What other city can brag about their music department like we can?

7. The Cod, Italian Kitchen, West Side and Georgio's.

Nothing else needs to be said.

8. Back Bay Bagel & Stonebridge are musts.

Where else would you go for breakfast?

9. Dunkin. Donuts. Everywhere.

There is a Dunks on every corner, and it is one of the best things on earth.

10. There is always something going on on Friday nights as a kid.

Did you have a childhood if you didn’t go to the Rox games or Asiaf?

11. “I live on the _____/Brockton line.”

To make it easier for out-of-towners to explain where exactly you live.

12. Rocky Marciano.

49-0.

13. No matter what anyone says, you know that no other city can compare to Brockton.

From the diversity, fantastic school system, stellar music program and local businesses, there is no other city that even comes close to paralleling Brockton. Brockton is the truly the City of Champions.