Brownsville, Texas: The city that everyone loves to hate and that everyone can’t wait to leave. But if you ask anyone who actually goes through with moving away, they’ll be the first to admit the undeniable truth: they miss it and all of it's memories. A childhood spent in Brownsville is a unique experience to say the least, and there are 25 undeniable markers that you grew up on the border and by the sea.
1. Whether it was post-quinceañera or post-prom, you had two options for late night food after events: Whataburger or your choice of taqueria.
2. You knew you were almost home from a road trip when you hit the palm trees and the Freddy Fender water tower in San Benito.
3. You knew you were REALLY almost home when you approached the Rancho Viejo Golf Ball.
4. While you're college friends are planning their first spring breaks, you've been going to spring break and Semana Santa at South Padre Island since the age of five.
5. On Sunday afternoons, the entire Brownsville population migrates from Sunrise Mall to the 77 Flea Market. One word, one love: Espiropapas.
6. You performed in the Charro Days children's parade at least once and celebrated at Sombrero Fest afterwards.
7. You spent your every weekend of your freshman year of high school hopping from quince to quince.
8. The football teams couldn't make it to the playoffs, but a soccer team seemed to come close to state champions every year. 
9. Breakfast meeting or early morning school activity? Forget donuts and coffee, you did Stripes tacos.
10. You were spoken to in Spanish at stores and restaurants before you were spoken to in English, or your entire conversation was held in Spanglish.
11. You've been to a play at the Camille Playhouse.
12. Hanna and Veterans developed a crazy rivalry, and regardless of what school you went to, everyone worshipped Los Fresnos football.
13. You saw border patrol vehicles more often than police cars on the roads.
14. Sunrise Mall was the place to hangout on the weekends in middle school (more specifically, the area in front of Cinemark.)
15. You went to this event at Resaca de la Palma at least once. 
16. You quickly learned that being indicted for a crime at some point was basically a requirement for holding public office.
17. You laughed whenever you saw a kid in a SJA uniform driving a Mercedes Benz at 16, but you were secretly jealous that they had the best parties.
18. Instead of highway traffic reports, the news stations and radios broadcasted the wait times for crossing the bridges over the border.
19. There was nothing worse than having to drive through King Ranch to get anywhere else in Texas (Thank god for the big Stripes in Riviera.) 
20. Except maybe having to fly to Houston or Dallas first if you wanted to leave the state.
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21. The entire city would wait in line for days when a new chain store or restaurant opened (especially if it was related to donuts.) 
22. You were more used to seeing "IT IS ILLEGAL TO CARRY FIREARMS INTO MEXICO" signs than stop signs.
23. You knew it was going to be a good day if you were going on a shopping trip to McAllen and the outlet mall in Mercedes.
24. You went on all the two classic elementary field trips: Gladys Porter Zoo and a dolphin watch at the Island.
25. Your parents made you wear a Cowboys jersey before you learned to crawl, and you quickly learned to avoid Southmost after a Cowboys loss.
26. The were two common sightings on the side of the road: posters for city commissioner or used car lots.
27. You considered buying special insurance just for potholes. 
28. Your fellow citizens taught you about the best of parking.
29. December 25th, 2004 was the best day of your life.
30. You couldn't get through dinner out at a restaurant without running into mariachis or that guy who sells roses.
31. High school graduation was a bigger deal than a wedding to most families.
32. You or your family or group of friends had a photoshoot at UTB.
33. Winter coats made an appearance if the temperature dropped below 70 degrees, and temperatures over 100 degrees were never surprising.
34. You never did a bake sale fundraiser, but you probably did a loteria night.
35. You learned to avoid HEB on the weekends with your family unless you wanted to deal with your mother having a high school reunion every other aisle.
