Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Alabama as a state in the Southeast of the United States extending to the Gulf of Mexico in the Southwest. However, I would define it in one simple word... Home. If you are from Alabama or have ever visited Alabama for a short time you know somethings to be true.

1. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS NOT JUST A GAME IT IS A WAY OF LIFE.

On Saturdays we watch football. It is almost sacrilegious to miss a game, but it truly is the way we live our lives in Alabama. In the fall we plan things around games whether it be: Birthday parties, weddings, the birth of a new child... Well, I guess you can't really plan around the birth of a new child, but, hey, if we could we would. Whether an Alabama fan (Roll Tide) or an Auburn fan; you know that when it is fall and Saturday rolls around, it is game time.

2. IF YOU'RE THE NEW KID AT SCHOOL YOU GET THE BIG QUESTION DROPPED ON YOU. "ARE YOU AN ALABAMA FAN OR AN AUBURN FAN?"

I know what you're thinking right about now, and no this is not all about football. We will get to the less important things in a minute. I went to the same school from kindergarten to the time I graduated, so, I was never the "new kid" but, the new kid always got this question. The answer to this question could determine the rest of your fate in this school. The worst thing you could do was say something other than Alabama or Auburn because that meant there was really something wrong with you and that you needed Jesus.So, are you an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan?

3. THE IRON BOWL IS A HOLIDAY.

Okay, I'm sorry this is the last one about football, I promise. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Whenever the Iron Bowl rolls around it is a big deal, people throw parties, get people to cater it, and talk trash all week. It is the time of the year to see which team rules the state for that year.

4. WE DO NOT MARRY OUR COUSINS.

"Where are you from?"

"Alabama"

"Oh, so you're like married to your cousin?"

"No..." (insert intense eye rolling)

I do have a very large family but marrying any of them is not something that I would do. I think the saying "there are plenty of fish in the sea," fits well here because there are enough fish in the sea that I can swim outside of my family and have plenty to choose from. Contrary to popular belief this is very rare and is very unsettling to think about for a normal Alabamian.

5. WE DON'T TALK FUNNY, Y'ALL DO.

We use words like Y'all, and buggy, and coke, and sometimes our southern accent gets in the way of just normal words, but we don't talk funny. We just have our own words that we like to use, and if you don't understand us then just ask.

6. "BLESS YOUR HEART"

While this sounds endearing and sweet, especially coming out of a sweet old lady's mouth, it can mean so much more. Now, she could be sincere and really feel the need to bless your heart, but it could also mean that you are being dumb and she can't believe it. This can be a positive thing or a negative thing so just be aware... and that's all I can say about that.

7. ONE WORD: MILOS

Milos, if you're not from Alabama probably means nothing to you, but if you are from Alabama means a lot. You know that Milos has the best sweet tea, and if you are ever away from Alabama for too long then you will crave Milos. There is no way to explain it to people who are not from Alabama, it is just something that has to be experienced.

8. SOUTHERN PRIDE IS A THING.

If you are from any part of the south you know this to be true. The south is the best place to live, and we all know it. There is nowhere else in the world that you can go mud riding on Friday night, chill on the lake all day on a Saturday and then church on Sunday. Well, there probably are a lot of places like that but nowhere else compares to how the south does things. Especially in Alabama.

9. CHURCH ON SUNDAY IS A BIG THING.

Not everyone was raised going to church every time the doors were open, but if you're not a church on Sunday morning, then where are you? Are there people in Alabama who don't go to church on Sunday morning? Or are they mythical creatures? Of course, not everyone goes to church, but we are in the Bible belt and we hold our faith very close to our hearts. We love God, sweet tea, and the SEC.... (okay, I'm sorry for that one, but not really).

10. GULF SHORES IS PROBABLY YOUR SECOND HOME.

Vacation time rolls around and the family is trying to decide what to do this year... I know shouts little Johnny, " We should go to the beach!" but the parents stared in wonder. "We live in Alabama and don't want to go too far... What are we gonna do?" the parents thought to themselves. "I know!!! Let's go to Gulf Shores. It's still in Alabama and it's the beach!" said little Johnny again.

I know that just sounded like a dumb promo video or commercial for Gulf Shores, but it's the truth. Why go all the way to Florida when you can go to the beach and stay in the best state in the country. This is where everyone goes for a weekend get away, it is close, convienant, and it's the beach.

So, if you are reading this and live in Alabama then I hope we can all agree it is the best state to live in, and if you don't agree then bless your heart.