I don’t think it matters where you grew up; chances are when you were going to school, you couldn’t wait to get the heck out of Dodge…or Dover, or Delaware, or wherever it was that you called home. And as much as we grumbled and mumbled about how we had nothing to do (insert teen angst here) and how boring it was (even though there was plenty to keep us busy), our heart strings are still pulled now when we think of our home state.
I grew up here and as much as I too wanted to get away, I’m glad I’m here now. But even if I wasn’t, I think my heart still would be, and here’s why.
- Respect for the military
U.S. Army / Flickr Between Dover Air Force Base, Delaware National Guard and Reserve units for every branch of service, we hold deep honor for those who have served.
- Getting just enough snow
Brian K. Lord / Facebook We get just enough snow each winter usually to blanket the state a few times and make things beautiful, and occasionally perfect for sledding. But, we’re not walloped like other states are to the north, nor are we denied snow like the south.
- Safety
Robert J. Castaldi, Sr. / Flickr Sure, there are jerks everywhere who ruin that sense of security, but generally speaking I feel safe in Delaware and I think it’s a safe place to raise kids.
- The value of being neighborly
Citizens Hose Company I love how, in towns all over Delaware, when someone is down on their luck people pull together to help out.
- Small town celebrations
K. O’Connell I LOVE small town holidays. At Christmastime, Santa Claus stops by our house for a personal visit. In the spring, there’s a community egg hunt. At Halloween we feel safe enough to trick-or-treat around town. And, in my mind, nothing beats a Delaware 4th of July celebration complete with fireworks and a parade.
- Being close to cities, but not too close
Phil Roeder / Flickr The food. The museums. The great public transportation. Being so close to so much history and places of historic significance. I love visiting the city, especially Washington D.C., but for right now, I’m perfectly content not to live there. I like the slightly slower pace of Delaware.
- Amber waves of grain
University of Delaware Carvel Research and Education Center / Flickr I grew up on a farm, so I saw my dad working hard to feed animals and people on a daily basis. The smell of a wheat field browning in the heat of the sun will always take me back. There are so many other places where people have no idea where their food really comes from. I like that in Delaware we see agriculture in action all the time; I passed a tractor on Route 1 this morning!
- The smell of the saltmarsh
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr I’m a sucker for the smell of the salt marsh. I roll the windows down every time I drive over the St. Jones River on Route 1.
- Autumn
Jeff Weese / Flickr What’s not to love? The crisp clean fall air, the fields at harvest, small town football games and homecoming festivities…Delaware does autumn like no other.
- Natural beauty
Paul Williams / Flickr Granted, Delaware is not exactly known for its natural wonders - heck, we don’t even have a real waterfall - but we do have so many nature reserves, parks, protected forests and waterways that are all beautiful and packed with wildlife.
- Water, water everywhere
K. O’Connell I’m not sure I could live somewhere where the beach was far away, but if I did I’d at least need to be near a river or pond or somewhere to dip my toes. Here in Delaware, there are so many different kinds of beaches and other places to enjoy the water.
- Family
Michael Newman / Flickr Whether you moved across the country or just across town, if you grew up here or have your family here now, or both, it’s the strongest draw for your Delaware heart.
What is it about Delaware that tugs at your heart?
U.S. Army / Flickr
Between Dover Air Force Base, Delaware National Guard and Reserve units for every branch of service, we hold deep honor for those who have served.
Brian K. Lord / Facebook
We get just enough snow each winter usually to blanket the state a few times and make things beautiful, and occasionally perfect for sledding. But, we’re not walloped like other states are to the north, nor are we denied snow like the south.
Robert J. Castaldi, Sr. / Flickr
Sure, there are jerks everywhere who ruin that sense of security, but generally speaking I feel safe in Delaware and I think it’s a safe place to raise kids.
Citizens Hose Company
I love how, in towns all over Delaware, when someone is down on their luck people pull together to help out.
K. O’Connell
I LOVE small town holidays. At Christmastime, Santa Claus stops by our house for a personal visit. In the spring, there’s a community egg hunt. At Halloween we feel safe enough to trick-or-treat around town. And, in my mind, nothing beats a Delaware 4th of July celebration complete with fireworks and a parade.
Phil Roeder / Flickr
The food. The museums. The great public transportation. Being so close to so much history and places of historic significance. I love visiting the city, especially Washington D.C., but for right now, I’m perfectly content not to live there. I like the slightly slower pace of Delaware.
University of Delaware Carvel Research and Education Center / Flickr
I grew up on a farm, so I saw my dad working hard to feed animals and people on a daily basis. The smell of a wheat field browning in the heat of the sun will always take me back. There are so many other places where people have no idea where their food really comes from. I like that in Delaware we see agriculture in action all the time; I passed a tractor on Route 1 this morning!
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr
I’m a sucker for the smell of the salt marsh. I roll the windows down every time I drive over the St. Jones River on Route 1.
Jeff Weese / Flickr
What’s not to love? The crisp clean fall air, the fields at harvest, small town football games and homecoming festivities…Delaware does autumn like no other.
Paul Williams / Flickr
Granted, Delaware is not exactly known for its natural wonders - heck, we don’t even have a real waterfall - but we do have so many nature reserves, parks, protected forests and waterways that are all beautiful and packed with wildlife.
I’m not sure I could live somewhere where the beach was far away, but if I did I’d at least need to be near a river or pond or somewhere to dip my toes. Here in Delaware, there are so many different kinds of beaches and other places to enjoy the water.
Michael Newman / Flickr
Whether you moved across the country or just across town, if you grew up here or have your family here now, or both, it’s the strongest draw for your Delaware heart.
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