I would have never guessed I would miss such a boring city as much as I do. I was so anxious to leave and start over, and now that I have- I want it all back. My two- story house, the job that I had a love- hate relationship with, my best friend I left behind, every single thing. I was one of 152,457 born in Ohio back in 1998, and I thrived on the excitement that place gave me for the next 18 years.

When most people think of Cincinnati they think of the Red's, the Bengals, or the zoo Harambe was last seen in. I think of much more. I envision the copious amounts of girls in sweaters and boots when its only September. I see our new casino downtown with "Cincinnati" lighting up the night sky right behind it. I hear horns being slammed on and thunder storms. Skyline Chili is also a favorite since it is the Cincinnati Flavor, of course. Bet you did not know that Cincinnati is also the home of Graeter's Ice Cream. Being right on Fountain Square every December for the annual tree lighting was always a favorite. Granted Kings Island is in Mason, when I picture home I see myself in the very last seat on Diamondback, anxious for the tremendous drop ahead. I have to mention the booming of the WEBN and Labor Day fireworks down on the river.

I never pictured moving to be so hard on me. I have already learned so much about myself in my new home. In Cincinnati I learned so much about both myself and the world though. Where I learned to walk and talk, and stand up for myself. Where I learned table manners and why family is such an essential and vital piece to someone's life. The Queen City is where I learned to drive and how to find the limit of an equation. It is where I took my first dance class and placed in my fifth grade spelling bee. It is when I learned to bring flip-flops, an umbrella, and a jacket to prepare for the ever changing weather patterns. It was where I was taught how to swim and make a bed. I learned how to mend a broken heart and tend to my friend's hearts when they were shattered as well. Coney Island was the place to be any hot summer day, plus it was cheap. What could be better?

I loved walking the Purple People Bridge at night to wake up and visit Hyde Park. Remember New Year's Eve 2015 when the car was going 80 MPH in Clifton and almost hit me and one of my friends? Or when I broke my butt bone on a trampoline and toughed it out all weekend so I could go tubing and watch fireworks? My favorite thing about Cincinnati was watching summer concerts down on Riverbend. Does it get any better than country/ rap music and a lawn seat? I think not. I wish I would have gotten to try zorbing at Newport on the Levee, then sat down on the river afterwards. Ecstatic I was there to watch the Grand Opening of the second Jungle Jim's, and if you do not know what Jungle Jim's is- you are missing out. Four years ago I watched The Christmas Carol at Playhouse In the Park and it was some of the most fun I have ever had.

I recently heard Dick's shut down permanently and this is arguably the most depressing thing I have heard since packing up and moving 16 hours away. Being easily the funniest and most entertaining restaurant nearby, it will be missed.

When people ask me why I miss Ohio so much I am almost at a loss for words. Maybe it is because I can't spew out 18 years of my life to them in 30 seconds, or maybe it is because I am so taken back at how someone doesn't recognize the beauty I see in a 10 letter word. I don't know what it is about Cincinnati that has made me love it so much, but aside the point, it is my home and I will visit again someday. The snow did always get the best of me and I do belong in a much warmer climate, but there is something about that place that always seems to captivate me.

Now that I live over 900 miles away I finally realize how much Cincy actually meant to me. Sure there were negatives on living there but for the most part, I fell in love with my hometown.

Such an understated city means so much to me. Now I am hundreds of miles away from home and miss it more and more everyday and I am thankful I grew up in such a wonderful place. I am sure Cincinnati, Ohio is not at the top of your bucket list, but it should be on there somewhere as it is a beautiful place with excitement and memories everywhere.