If you’ve ever left Oklahoma for an extended period of time, then you probably second guessed your decision to leave. Oklahoma is home and home is where the heart is. It’s a special place where natural beauty abounds, friendly people care and living is affordable. Here are 14 things people have thought at least once while they were gone.

  1. “Summer just isn’t the same without the lakes.”

Chris Zuniga/Flickr

  1. “Where are the REAL convenience stores?”

Quiktrip/Facebook

  1. “Where did all the gorgeous sunsets go?”

oklahomaonly/Facebook

  1. “Nobody knows how to do State Fairs like Oklahoma.”

rchristianb/Flickr

  1. “The commute to work and school really was a breeze compared to this.”

Phan Ly/Flickr

  1. “I wish I took advantage of the wide open spaces and natural beauty.”

Gagan Moorthy/Flickr

  1. “Are people really that stingy here? I wish they were like my old neighbors back home.”

Tim Reed/Flickr

  1. “I miss the back road adventures…”

mtneer_man/Flickr

  1. “And the down-to-earth people.”

North Charleston/Flickr

  1. “What happened to affordable gas?”

Mike Mozart/Flickr

  1. “I wish I had some good Oklahoma bbq right about now.”

Geoff Dude/Flickr

  1. “I miss experiencing the four seasons.”

Brad Holt/Flickr

  1. “I just want to see a good Oklahoma thunderstorm.”

Niccolo Ubalducci/Flickr

  1. “There’s no place like home.”

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM

If Oklahoma is your home, then you can easily spot a tourist in the Sooner State. In case you need help, here are 12 surefire ways to recognize one in Oklahoma.

Chris Zuniga/Flickr

Quiktrip/Facebook

oklahomaonly/Facebook

rchristianb/Flickr

Phan Ly/Flickr

Gagan Moorthy/Flickr

Tim Reed/Flickr

mtneer_man/Flickr

North Charleston/Flickr

Mike Mozart/Flickr

Geoff Dude/Flickr

Brad Holt/Flickr

Niccolo Ubalducci/Flickr

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM

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