I wasn't born in Valparaiso, but I consider myself 'from' Valparaiso.
I lived here since 1986 since I was three years old. I don't know what life is like outside of the 46383. I'm used to 0 degree winters and 90 degree summers. I'm used to being close to a huge sprawling city like Chicago, but also close to a city like Pinhook. I know what the warm sand feels like between my toes, and also what it feels like to walk through a cornfield in mid August. I know what it's like to choose between the Cubs and Sox. I know what it's like to choose between the Bears and Colts. I know what it's like to wear shorts in the morning, but instantly change into a parka in the evening. I know what it's like to cut the grass one day, then shovel a foot of snow the following day. I know what it's like to feel my lungs close driving by the steel mills, but I also know what it feels like to be breathless climbing atop a sand dune. I know how it feels to miss a 3 foot putt at Aberdeen, but make birdie at Creekside. I know how it feels to lose $100 in a night at The Blue Chip Casino, but win the same the next week Bingo Night at the Elks. Valparaiso might have those polar opposites, but Valparaiso always brings you back.