We may not be Buckeyes, but we are Ohioans

It's coming up on our family having lived in Ohio for seven years. It feels like enough time to make it one's home. We're properly connected in all directions here in the Buckeye State, happily connected within multiple tribes. While we still reminisce about our Michigan memories, a fact rolled in my head the other day. Our youngest daughter turns 12 in June. Our move to Ohio began before she was 5. To her, this is absolutely home, and it really is for all of us. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite hometown things: • The weather — Yes, the spring has been zany and many have the allergies, pressures and colds to prove it, but did you see how Northern Michigan got walloped with winter weather this winter and spring? Ohio for us has been an upgrade in the weather sense, with our longer springs and falls and true four-season calendar. • I love this area's variety of soft-serve ice cream places. Each town has one or two tremendous spots to get a flurry, sundae, shake, or something of the like. But, if I'm looking for a real top flight experience, I order hard-dip ice cream from Toft's Dairy in Sandusky, or eat some delectable chocolates from Dietsch's in Findlay. Yum! • My family likes to try restaurants, and there is no shortage of opportunities around here. Whether it is local favorites, hole-in-the-wall taverns or trendy downtown spots, we're blessed with a nice variety of eateries. Mexican, Italian, Asian, pizza, wings, American? Places that have stood the test of time and hip, new downtown spots. There's something for everyone. • Sports matter here, and that's to my liking. The intersection of college basketball March Madness with the beginning of the MLB season is my favorite of the year, and it shines in this state despite the teeter totter weather. It's neat that three cities have major professional franchises, and others — like Toledo and Dayton — have their fair share of major events and fun teams. And colleges dot every corner of this state. Fans show out to sporting events in this state — no more than on fall Friday nights or at the state high school athletic tournaments. • Also to my liking is the map. It may seem normal to natives, but this writer grew up in a rural area that was hours from the nearest shopping center or 4-year university. The fact I can be to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne in give or take three hours or less is impressive to me. A bonus comes from being in a state where friends from other places often drive through on their way north, south, east or west. • The north and south also is a dividing line between the Civil War's free states and slave states. Ohio has a wealth of history, whether we are talking about the Firelands or the Black Swamp. We'll be telling some of the local historical tales this summer in our America 250 project. Whether its presidents, space explorers or pioneers in industry and agriculture, we're part of a rich, long history here. • An extension of the map is the natural beauty. I've come to love the pastoral nature of a sunrise or sunset sprawling over lush farmland. I'm close to the lake, to hills, to neat spots like Cuyahoga National Park or Hocking Hills State Park. There are many great rails to trails spots in this state, and being outside is quite possible for most of the year. I have been to states with more natural beauty than Ohio, but all it takes is some basic digging to find some unexpected nature anywhere in this state. • More than all, we love Ohio because it is home. I'm a firm believer that families who have experience moving are better adjusted if they embrace the current as their home. With us, it was important to have our head where our feet are. We have friends from all around, but this place has the warmth and familiarity that only home can bring. We may not be Buckeyes (unless one of my girls ends up going to that school in Columbus), but we are sure Ohioans. I like the sound of that. Jeremy Speer is the publisher of The Courier, Findlay, the Sandusky Register, The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin, the Norwalk Reflector and Review Times, Fostoria. He can be reached at jeremyspeer@thecourier.com.