Whether you still live there or not, your hometown will always be your home. This is the place you grew up, went to school, and made all your friends and memories. Your hometown is where you made your first friends, where you grew up and became the person you are today. In high school, you couldn’t wait to leave. But it's not until you leave that you realize how much you miss it. Your hometown may not be your favorite place, but it will always be your place.

1. Your house

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This is the place you grew up, the place you know like the back of your hand. You know which step creaks when you step on it, how many hair tools you can plug in before blowing a fuse, and where the perfect hiding places are.

2. All your favorite food

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You usually plan all your meals on a trip home. Your favorite bagels, deli, pizza, burger, burrito, even your favorite Starbucks are just around the corner. Going home for the weekend is kind of like going on vacation, you don't hold back when it comes to eating.

3. Your family

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Your parents, your siblings, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles and maybe even a few cousins. Your hometown and your family are basically synonymous.

4. Your home friends

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Your home friends have been there with you through all your awkward stages, all your drama, and most of your weekends. They are the people that get you, and will always be your home base.

5. Your favorite places

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The parking lot where you sit and talk for hours, the bench at the park, the dock at the marina, your bed, or your best friends basement. The places you are when you need to get out of the house. These are the places that make you feel comfortable, and the places you miss the most.

6. You never get lost

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You NEVER have to use a GPS when you're home. You know where all your friends houses are, and directions include landmarks rather than street names.

7. You can't go anywhere without seeing someone you know

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While yes, this can SUCK when it's Sunday morning and you look like you've gotten hit by a train, it really is comforting to be able to see a familiar face.

8. Your hometown diner

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There is truly no diner like your home diner. The loud host that seats you, the diner cookies, the mints you eat at the register. Everything they have is the BEST you’ve ever had. You can try and fight me on it, but my diner will beat yours 10 times out of 10.

9. Your pets

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You know that every time you come home, you pet will always be the most excited to see you. They will be the first to greet you and won't leave you alone the entire time you’re home (but you’re not complaining)

10. The memories

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Passing the soccer fields you grew up on, the Friendly’s where you had a few awkward middle school double-dates, the house your best friend used to live in. Driving around your hometown always packs a punch of nostalgia.

11. It will always be there even if you won't

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You may come and go, but your hometown will always be there, right where you left it. It will always be a part of you, and you will always be a part of it.