Before leaving for college, I never really realized how blessed I was to have grown up in Homewood. The memories I have of growing up here recall scenes of me sliding down the big slide at Homewood Days, hanging out and watching games at Izaak Walton, eating Dilly Bars on the logs behind DQ and attending birthday parties at Art 4 Soul. The Homewood-Flossmoor area is a great place to live and a place I'm proud to say I grew up in.

1. Diversity

This is and forever will be number one on my list. I never realized how diverse Homewood-Flossmoor was until I got to college. Racial and socioeconomic diversity is incredibly prevalent in the area. I have met so many different kinds of people with different backgrounds in my lifetime, and I truly believe I am a better person because of it.

2. Access to the city

There is quite a bit to do in the area, but after living here your whole life, everything becomes a "been there, done that". The Metra commuter rail is incredibly accessible in either Homewood or Flossmoor and drops you off at Millennium Station so you're already right by all the action. So, even if there is nothing to do some days, one of the greatest cities in the world with so much to do is as easy to get to as ever.

3. Great schools

Districts 153, 161, and 223 all are fantastic schools to send your kids to. HF is a blue ribbon school that is ranked 33rd in Illinois, and I'm proud to have attended. Every teacher I've encountered at both 153 schools and at HFHS really did care about me and my education.

4. HF Football

As an HF grad of 2016, I have to say I am incredibly partial to the power of HF football. Nothing beats the energy of the student section under those Friday night lights. And although I never saw a state championship in my 4 years, I know that we 100% deserved one (#StevensonK #LoyolaK). Once a Kedzie Krazie, always a Kedzie Krazie.

5. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District

Not only is HF home to great schools, it also hails a fantastic park district. There are over 30 parks and recreational areas under HFPD's jurisdiction and they offer dozens upon dozens of programs and events for people of all ages during all seasons.

6. PIZZA

Aurelio's, Mama & Me, Domino's, Marco's, the coming Lou Malnati's- you name it, we got it. Homewood is home to the original Aurelio's and yes, there are others but its just not the same. Whether you want a quick chain store pizza from the likes of Domino's or the wonderful taste of homemade Aurelio's, you know you can find it in the HoFlo.

7. ICE CREAM

Another food staple we seem to have an abundance of. I don't think I'll ever get enough of Zarlengo's (technically in Chicago Heights but still a community favorite). Growing up only a few blocks away, I'd have to say I'm partial to Dairy Queen. Nothing beats waiting in the long line on opening day in March for that free cone.

8. Dentists??

Dentists are an odd, yet rather convenient thing we have an amplitude of in the HF area. At this point, it seems like there's one on pretty much every corner. Also, nail salons. Just a quirky weird thing that you'll find everywhere here.

9. Moms & Dads of Homewood-Flossmoor

If you don't know about something, it's almost guaranteed that Moms & Dads will have all the answers.

10. The sense of community.

For the most part growing up, I always knew my neighbors. We always had great block parties and would stop to chat with them when we ran into them at Walt's. Whether it be watching the big tree at Irwin light up for Holiday Lights, going to Homewood Days (which needs to make a comeback) and Flossmoor Fest, sitting along Ridge Road for the Fourth of July parade, or even something as simple as listening to the music at a Starry Nights concert in the summer, the Homewood-Flossmoor community all came together for events like this and for that I truly am thankful.