Growing up in the Lake Norman area can be defined as summers on the lake and Friday nights in Birkdale. It's all small towns, but we have access to the city only 30 minutes away, so it all works out. No matter how far we go, coming home nothing changes. Here are a few signs that you have grown up in this area.

1. "Do you live in Davidson, Cornelius or Huntersville?"

It’s all the same isn’t it? No matter what town you were from, they were all so close that it didn’t really matter. The lake was the lake whether you were in Davidson or Cornelius. And if you were in Huntersville… well at least you had friends on the lake.

2. You knew someone at every school in the area.

No matter what school you went to, you probably knew someone at the other school right down the road. Your elementary school rivals most likely turned into your high school rivals. You always had some kind of connection to each school around.

3. The Harris Teeter on exit 25 used to be Winn Dixie back in the day.

This one is for those who (like me) haven’t left the area since the day you were born and you clearly remember going to the Winn Dixie for groceries.

4. What actually was exit 25 though?

Marshall’s? Panera? When did that happen? You know you’ve been around for a while if you can remember when that was a mass land of nothing. At least Kohl’s is still standing strong.

5. The random llama in that person's lawn in Huntersville.

You all know what I'm talking about.

6. Summer's consisted of boats and jet-skis.

Lake Norman was your second home throughout the summer. What better way to spend your days than on the lake?

7. Post middle-school football game meals

Tenders or Brooklyn South? Either way that Friday night was going to be ‘lit.’

8. A "quick" run through Birkdale.

How about a solid two hours walking around? Plus, no matter when you went it felt like everyone and their mom decided to go there that night. The fountain was the place to be on a Friday night… or “the bridge” if you were feeling lucky.

9. Downtown Davidson

Concerts on the Green? Christmas in Davidson? Trick-or-treating? Every holiday had a celebration in Davidson. With celebratory Ben & Jerry’s of course.

10. You know your way around everywhere.

You know where everything is and you know the shortcut to get from town to town. It’s home and no matter where you go, you will always find your way back.