25 Reasons Why My Heart Will Always Be In Pittsburgh

Wanderlust often whisks many of us away from our hometown, especially when we're just leaving college or have decided at some point to start over with that proverbial clean slate. But, wherever we go, our experiences and how Pittsburgh has shaped our lives goes with us. We instinctively know our fellow Pittsburghers when we meet them and fondly chat of all that makes the city so special. Many return to the Burgh because, like Dorothy said, there really is no place like home. Here are just 25 reasons to love Pittsburgh:

1. Enjoying four seasons – sometimes all in one day!

2. Wearing the same outfit as our friends for Kennywood picnic day...eating funnel cakes and Potato Patch fries at the park.

3. Going to the drive-in. (Yes, we still have a few!)

4. Visiting the summer church festivals and community fairs.

5. Childhood memories of playing outside until the street lights came on.

6. Catching lightning bugs then setting them free.

7. Running out for a cold treat on a hot summer day (then growing up and watching your six-year-old do the same).

8. Riding the train from Jumpin' Jungle to Kiddie Land at Idlewild.

9. Convincing mom and dad to buy a red or a blue slush and a soft pretzel after shopping at Hills.

10. Watching the scrolling school delays and closings on KDKA, WTAE, and WPXI on winter mornings – and hoping, hoping, hoping for a day off. (And, if you lived in the Gateway School District in the 80s and 90s, never getting that wish granted).

11. Memories of Isaly's french fries, egg salad, pickles, and ice cream.

12. Pierogies.

13. Ice skating at PPG Place.

14. Fireworks at the Point on the Fourth of July.

15. Rooting for the Steelers…

16. The Pens…

17. And the Buccos.

18. Stunning fall foliage.

19. The skyline from Mount Washington

20. The view of the city coming out of the Fort Pitt Tunnels.

21. The passion and camaraderie of Pittsburgh's animal lovers and selfless rescuers.

22. The Southwestern Pennsylvania World War II Memorial.

23. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Indiana, PA, the hometown of Jimmy Stewart, one of the great actors of Hollywood's Golden Age.

24. A language all of our own.

25. A community that comes together to help those in need – like Pittsburghers recently donating teddy bears to help children in crisis.

Those are just 25 reasons to love Pittsburgh, at least from my perspective. Why do YOU love Pittsburgh?