1. Coffee. You think you know coffee until you go to the Pacific Northwest. It’s an obsession. No matter what time of day it is or where you are in the city, there are always at least 5-10 people within eyeshot drinking a cup.  My coffee consumption more than doubles when I’m home, and I plan to visit each and everyone one of my fave shops: Zeitgeist, Cafe Ladro, Uptown, and Monorail Espresso. It really doesn’t get any better.
2. Mountains. The skies may not always be clear enough to catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier or the Cascades, but when you do, their beauty will knock your socks off, every single time.
3. Friendliness. Growing up, I thought people were friendly to each other in every city. Boy, was I wrong about that one. But it makes me appreciate even more the small talk and the friendly smiles and the easy-going-ness of Seattleites. It’s just, well, pleasant.
4. Music. Make all the grunge jokes you want, but the Seattle music scene is so incredibly talented. And the best part is that the city is small enough that it’s super accessible and you can really immerse yourself in some of the best music out there.
5. It’s my home. I feel so lucky to have my family together all in one place, with my cute little nephews rounding out our fourth generation of Seattleites.  Even if I don’t get to visit very often, it’s always feels like I never left.

My body may be in Hamburg, but my mind is kind of already on vacation. Can you tell?