Ah, Florida; the state known for its beaches and seasonal retirees. I’ve lived in Florida my whole life, so I feel like I know the state pretty well. That being said, there are a few things us Floridians encounter regularly that people from other states may not be familiar with. Here are some examples:

1. Getting to wear a bathing suit in December: This is something we take for granted and often choose to rub in the faces of anyone from the north, including northern Florida, because anyone who’s from here knows they’re basically Georgia anyway. Sorry, but it’s true.
2. Road trip to watch the sun rise on the east coast and set on the west coast: I don’t know of many other states where this is possible, but it is definitely something I recommend doing if you ever get the chance, whether you’re visiting or you live here. It’s not a terribly long drive and is certainly worth the gas.
3. Excuse me, what’s a snow day?: A good amount of Floridians have never even seen snow, let alone experienced a snow day. Those of us who have seen snow drive countless hours for the experience, while people who live there are shoveling it off their driveways.
4. Knowing what time it is during the summer based on whether it’s raining or not: 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Every. Single. Day. Without fail. It may be sunny by 3:01, but you bet it’s raining at 3.
5. The more north you go, the more southern it gets: We’ve got Miami, where no one has ever heard of camo or Luke Bryan, but by the time you hit Kissimmee, Luke Bryan is a household name. Make it up to Ocala and camo has its own season.
6. Leaves change color?: The great Evergreen trees; that’s what we get here. The leaves are either green or brown, if they’re dead. Any time I’ve seen changing leaves, it’s been an experience of awe.
7. A trip to Disney World is a day trip: People come from across the world to go to Disney World, and we’ve got it right in our backyard. And no, Disney World and Disneyland are definitely not the same thing.
8. Eating Key Lime Pie in the Keys: Another bucket list necessity. Also, visiting the original Margaritaville while listening to Margaritaville. Jimmy Buffet is a religion.
9. Air conditioning is a must: I was shocked to learn there are parts of the country where people just don’t use A/C. We would roast alive. If you’ve ever experienced a summer in central Florida where there aren’t any beaches (meaning no sea breeze), you know this isn’t an exaggeration.
10. Love Bug season is the worst season: They get all over your car and are horrible to try and get off. Do they hurt? No. Are they dangerous? No. They're just messy and annoying. The most pointless bugs in the world.
11. Mosquitoes are everyone's enemy: No one likes mosquitoes. They're annoying, they're anywhere where water exists (which is everywhere in Florida), and they leave omnipresent bites that itch like no tomorrow. No thanks, Florida.