Cincinnati: The place that I couldn't wait to leave until I actually did. Over the years, I grew antsy; I was ready to leave and experience new and exciting things. I always thought the real world sounded bigger and better, and of course, more glamorous. Then I went to college and an appreciation for my real home appeared. Don’t get me wrong, going to Clemson was the best decision I have ever made. But there’s something about Cincinnati that will always resonate with me. Something about it that will always make it home. Coming home from college, I’m not only excited to sleep in my own bed and see my pets, I can never wait to go down the hill on 71 and see the city, so much so that it makes me immediately happy. So, what makes it so great?

1. Skyline Chili

It’s the place, the myth, the legend. People who were "Cincinnati born" love it, and those who weren’t don’t understand it. We get genuinely offended when you don’t like it, so don’t even offend us with that language. When I try to describe Skyline to non-Cincinnatians, they look at me with confusion and slight disdain. Chili made from chocolate?! It’s even better when I tell them that they’re famous for their three-ways. It’s chili and spaghetti and cheese people, relax. Whether we spent our friday nights after football games, random lunches, or just an average Wednesday night at Skyline, it was the go to place. Everyone has their signature Skyline where the waiters know your orders (no one even has to look at a menu anymore) and you’re always welcomed with a smile. Skyline Chili is not only delicious, it brings people together in so many ways. After all, it’s ALWAYS Skyline time.

2. The Ever-Changing Atmosphere

Cincinnati inspires huge amounts of innovation. If you mentioned a trip to Over-The-Rhine 10 years ago, people would wince, as it was a very dangerous place to be. Now, after rapid development that has spread throughout Cincinnati, it’s the home of amazing restaurants such as The Senate, and The Eagle (craving some fried chicken thinking about it) and beautiful buildings. It houses the largest collection of Italian architecture, showcasing the German roots that scatter throughout Cincinnati (shout out to Goetta, with its own food group and the coolest goettafest that’s ever been).

Also, if you’ve never been to Smale, it’s a must see. The Banks Project has done incredible things for the area near the beautiful (and extremely muddy) Ohio River. Downtown has become so developed that there's always something new and exciting to see. The Suspension Bridge, Smale, the swings across the banks, and that entire area, makes for weekend days appreciating our home. But stay on our side of the bridge. If you're from Northern Kentucky and live across the bridge, you are not from Cincinnati. Also, there are the parks. If you’ve never been to Alms, Eden, or Ault Park, get up and go. Seriously just do it. Take a stroll through the beauty that is our parks. You see tons of people enjoying themselves as well and I feel confident that Leslie Knope would be proud.

3. The Mediocre- At Best- Sports

WHO DEY. We’re pretty on and off, with sports teams that are never that great. But we fully believe and root for them as hard and as obnoxiously as possible. Reds games, even though the food is way overpriced and fake IDs are shot down within the second, are always a way to bond with your fellow Cincinnatians, cheering together for a team that doesn’t often win. We remember when Chad Johnson was Chad Ochocinco, forever 85 in our books.

Nothing was celebrated more than Todd Frazier coming in clutch with the Home Run Derby win, and housing the All- Star game was a once in a lifetime experience. Even though our sports aren’t all that great, we love our Bengals and Reds as if they were.

Thank you, Cincinnati, for giving me so many wonderful memories, and for being the place I never realized I would miss so dearly, whether it's the weird flying pigs all around the city, seeing Nick Lachey in random places, spending days at Newport, Graeters, reminiscing on tween days hanging out at the mall or Kings Island, concerts at Riverbend, or high school rivalry (always rooting for the Braves). It’s truly the best city in the world, and that’s not just because Jerry Springer was our mayor.