Growing up in a New Jersey suburb, my Catholic faith was an important part of my young life, shaping the way I approached the world.

When I was growing up, it was so embarrassing to be from Jersey.

I grew up in suburban New Jersey in a transitional area that was surrounded by farmland that wasn't being cultivated.

Growing up as a kid, we moved all over the country on a fairly frequent basis, from New Jersey to Texas, California, Illinois... we moved 21 times in my first 17 years.

Oh, there’s no toll,” noticed Henry. “It costs twelve bucks coming into Manhattan, but I guess it’s free going back to New Jersey.”
“That should tell you something,” said Villy crestfallen.

I grew up in New Jersey and never went up the Statue of Liberty.