I was born and raised in Sand Springs, Oklahoma; That town is where I grew up. Where I attended school, where I drove my first car, where I cheered on the sidelines every Friday night. But there are some things that you can only understand if you're from Sand Springs.

1. There is a ridiculous amount of pharmacies.

If you ask anyone from Sand Springs about this they will rant! I don't need to come back from college to see a 7th Pharmacy built!!!

2. Sand Springs is divided in two. There's a Prattville side and the "Sand Springs" side. and YES there's a difference.

3. We constantly say "across the river". Whether that means you're going to the high school on the Sand Springs side or somewhere else on the Prattville side. The phrase is ALWAYS in our vocabulary.

4. We constantly get asked, "So what's a Sandite anyways?"

Well, thank you for asking. No, we're not a sand flea (like google tells you.)
A Sandite is THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE of course.

5. El Maguey is a staple restaurant in Sand Springs and no we don't just go for margaritas their queso is BOMB!!!

6. Quik Trip is like another religion in Sand Springs. There is no doubt that you will run into someone you know at QT every. single. time.

We go for gas refills of course but more importantly, we go for chicken taquitos, dirt cheap fountain drinks in the summertime (rooster booster), the QT kitchen, and a great selection of coffee or cappuccinos.

7. People go to Osage Casino (on the hill) just for fun; and no not just on the weekends but during the weekdays too.

You are also determined to run into someone you know at the Casino every time, but people also like the free pop they offer. LOL

8. Sports are a big deal in Sand Springs. ESPECIALLY Wrestling. The history of Sand Springs Wrestling is so deeply rooted in tradition, its something amazing to witness.

Sand Springs Wrestling had FIVE individual state champs, won Dual State and State as a team.. all in 2017. And of course, everyone knows and loves Head Wrestling Coach Kelly Smith!

9. Sand Springs Golf Course (aka The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge.)

Everyone knows the golf course whether you actually golf there, use it as a geographic point for direction or just drive by it every day. The Golf Course is definitely a staple of the Sand Springs Community.

And there's an amazing view of Downtown Tulsa from the Golf Course.

10. Two words. Keystone Lake. if you didn't spend most of or part of your summers at Keystone Lake then what were you doing?! Keystone Lake is on the Arkansas River 15 miles west of Downtown Tulsa.

People often find themselves swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hiking or riding four wheelers around the trails of Keystone Lake.

More often than not I complain about being from Sand Springs, but I wouldn't have it any other way... I've met my lifelong best friends there, grew and learned so much about myself, and even hold the dearest memories in my heart from that place.

After writing this blog I've realized there's no place like home. There's no place like Sand Springs.