1. You don't know how to explain to new people where your town is, so basically your town becomes the whole north shore

You'll explain you're from a northern suburb, yet you'll still get "so like the North Shore, basically Chicago, right?" No, mean we're north of Chicago, we do not live in Chicago.

2. You couldn’t imagine going to college anywhere other than the Midwest because that's where everyone in your town went

Nearly every person in your town can be seen wearing Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, or Michigan clothing, no questions asked.

3. Portillos

Your friends asked where you want to eat, it usually ended up being portillos where you ordered a large cake shake, cheese fries and a burger, and no one ever shamed you for doing so

4. You were always confused by the idea of taking a train to the beach

Your beach isn't a car ride away? That's weird.

5. You and your friends created secret hang out places in the middle of forests or along side park lakes

Where else would you and your friends rather be than the perfect hide away from all humanity?

6. You lived through the revelry that secretly play between all of the high schools in the area, but you always knew your school was the best

High school sports were probably a little too competitive, but if you didn't have school spirit, what did you have?

7. Mariano's was not only the new cool grocery store, it was the store where you and all your friends worked, basically a right of passage

8. But deep down your heart belonged to Dominick's

We will never forget.

9. Those 1 a.m. trips to Denny's were a defining moment of your teenage years

Mom said no? Mission, ask older sibling to sneak you out of the house, is a go.

10. When you discovered lulu lemon, you’re life changed for the better

Expensive af, but definitely not target brand, enough said.

11. You had plans to go to teen dance clubs

  Contemplating: Who had the cool mom that was willing to drive?

12. Your trips to the city consist of pictures at the bean, visiting water tower place, and getting some kind of special dessert, probably a sprinkles cupcake

That cupcake ATM is definitely irresistible

13. You’d make any length trip to see the Chicago Blackhawks because you’re a die hard fan

14. The metra is your best friend 

You've memorized every stop on the line by now; you had to, or else your trip to the city would end in shambles

15. Snow days were a blessing, two in a row? Even better, but everyone knew cold days were the real MVP

Senior year, don't have to make up snow days or cold days - booya.

16. When you finally move away from the suburbs but still have a piece of you that misses the best place to grow up