When people hear the word “suburbs,” a few thoughts immediately come to mind. Manicured lawns, white picket fences, and maybe even that classic Disney Channel movie “Stuck in the Suburbs” (come on, you know you were thinking it). Suburbs can be the perfect mix of city and country living – houses are quiet and secluded, but you never have to drive far if you’re looking for something fun to do. Most people are familiar with the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota, but if you drive about half an hour southwest of the Twin Cities, you’ll happen upon the suburb of Eden Prairie.
With a population of over 60,000, four different elementary schools, and a high school with a graduating class of around 800, Eden Prairie is certainly not one of the smaller suburbs. For most of you reading who didn’t grow up in Eden Prairie, feel free to roll your eyes at some of the ridiculousness that is growing up in this suburb. But for my fellow Eagles, I am here to provide you with a trip down memory lane with this list of things you understand if you grew up in Eden Prairie:
1. You refer to your hometown as "EP."
Because four syllables are just too many for us to have to say.2. You played Association Soccer.
If you were raised in Eden Prairie, you're bound to become an all-star athlete, right?
3. You attended Safety Camp.
4. You ranked the elementary schools based on their playgrounds.
5. You knew which atriums in Oak Point were the "cool" atriums.
6. You've seen a show at the Starring Lake Amphitheater.
7. You ate in the "commons" in High School.
8. You loved the Cookie Store.
Did your high school have a store that was strictly for selling cookies for 50 cents all day every day?
9. You have to embarrassingly explain "The Wall" to people.
10. Parking in the Community Center lot was the worst.
11. You know the difference between Dance Team, Pom Squad, and Cheerleaders.
12. You never got a snow day.
Somehow those buses were always able to run even with three feet of snow on the ground.
13. You don't always like to tell people you're from Eden Prairie.
This is the look I received when I first got to college and told people I was from Eden Prairie. Apparently we have the reputation of being spoiled, so I often chose to tell people I was from "a suburb of the Twin Cities."
14. You can finish the phrase "Make it a great day..."
You heard the phrase "Make it a great day, or not, the choice is yours" every week for four years of high school. Now it's pretty hard to forget.
15. You know EP is home to some of the greatest people.
Whether it be teachers, friends, families, or members of the community. Despite what others may think, I have met some of the most caring, selfless, amazing people here.
16. You'll never let anyone forget about this.
It may have been six years ago, but Eden Prairie was voted the "Best Place to Live" in the United States by Money Magazine, so that's got to count for something (and it was just announced as the 2nd best place to live in 2016, so woot woot)!
17. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.
You'll go off to college or travel the world, but the memories you created and the friendships you made in EP will always keep you coming back.
Although a few of the things on this list are pretty ridiculous, I will always be thankful for my upbringing in Eden Prairie. I grew up getting to enjoy beautiful parks, fun community events, and some of the best friends, teachers, and mentors I will ever encounter.
