Lauren’s Love Letter to the Region

I grew up in rural Elkhart, closer to Osceola than downtown, and spent my high school years driving 25-30 minutes to get anywhere, whether that was my first job at Old Navy or a Saturday trip to University Park Mall with friends. At the time, I felt stuck in a smallish town and counted down the days until I could leave for college.

But three years into my undergraduate program, my perspective shifted. I realized that most weekends, I was making the 2.5-hour drive home, seeking the comfort of the place I once felt so eager to leave. Eventually, I decided to transfer to IU South Bend, giving myself space and familiarity to figure out my early 20s and what I wanted from life. That decision led me to a small rental home in the River Park neighborhood of South Bend, where, for the first time, I felt a true sense of belonging.

South Bend surprised me. It had the vibrancy of a bigger city wrapped in the warmth of a small-town community. I was 25 minutes from my parents, 40 minutes from my grandpa’s lakehouse in southern Michigan, and just 5-10 minutes from anything I could want or need. I found joy in exploring local businesses, jogging along the South Bend Riverwalk, and gathering with friends to try new restaurants downtown.

When I graduated, I took my first career step with Downtown South Bend, a local nonprofit that deepened my admiration for small businesses and their passionate owners. And when it came time to buy my first home in 2020, I never questioned where I wanted to be. It had to be the South Bend area.

So, what do I love about this region?

For my husband, Neil, and me, this area holds our roots and our hearts. We were married in Southwest Michigan at Watermark Brewery. Neil is a Niles native, and we've loved watching the city grow with new businesses and fresh energy. Every year, we celebrate our "Friends Christmas" in Goshen, sharing Venturi pizza and cocktails at Common Spirits. We spend weekends watching our friends' kids play at Howard Park, feeling the pulse of a community that continues to thrive.

I love to travel, but my favorite part of any trip is always coming home. Watching this region grow alongside me has been one of my greatest joys. And as I reflect on all it has given me, from my childhood to my career, my friendships, and my marriage, I feel nothing but gratitude. This place is home, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.