What's a KRITSBY you ask? Well, it's an acronym which means Kid Raised In The South By Yankees. I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio and I spent the first of half of my childhood there. My parents are originally from Ohio and Indiana. When I was seven, my family relocated to North Carolina and the rest of my childhood was in for a whirlwind! When you're the new kid at a southern school with the funny midwestern accent, you stand out like a sore thumb. When your family's midwestern culture collides with the ways of the south, you're in for quite the confusing childhood. So, here are some signs that you are a KRITSBY!

1. You ask for a pop, but your friend hands you a soda.

Sorry, I don't drink soda, I drink pop.

2. At school, you speak with a southern accent to fit in, but as soon as mom calls, you go straight back to your midwestern accent.

You develop a drawl with your friends, but you better believe that as soon as your phone rings and it's any one of your midwestern relatives you go straight back to that midwestern accent. Can't risk any one of your family members calling you a southern hillbilly!

3. Your friends eat chicken n' dumplings. You eat corn beef and cabbage.

Almost every midwestern family has someone somewhere in their bloodline who is Irish. Corn beef and cabbage is a staple in your family. Don't forget the Pint O' Guinness!

4. Your friends say "Bless your heart". You say "FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD".

I have no idea why midwesterns say this. We just do.

5. You still don't understand southern "snow days".

I'm sorry. I still don't understand this. Five year old Amanda stood at the bus stop with snow taller than her in Ohio. LEAVE THE MILK AND BREAD ON THE SHELVES FOR CYRIN' OUT LOUD.

6. Your family still lives a fast-pace life in a sleepy, small town.

Those people who zip in and out of lanes and lay on the horn in small, southern towns...yup, those are the yankees. Can you blame us when we are used to the big city?

7. Lakes are better than beaches.

Who would hang at Dirty Myrtle when you have Lake Erie?

8. Southerners don't know what real farmland is.

When you've learned to drive on those Indiana backroads, then we can talk about what farmland is.

9. Southerners flip over tornado warnings.

It's 3 am. Mom and Dad pull you out of bed and drag you to the basement. You fall back asleep on the mattress set up down there. The usual.

10. Southerners freak out when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.

Northerners freak out when the temperature rises about 90 degrees.

11. What is sweet tea?

Ok, now here is something the south gets right! I can't believe I went so many years without sweet tea!

12. How traumatizing friendly Southern Churches are.

When you're raised in the Quaker and Methodist traditions, Southern Churches are a bit much to handle as a child. But, the more you know Jesus, the better it gets. Let's all get a good laugh out of this photo!

13. Your parents hosted BBQs and served hamburgers and hotdogs.

I remember my first southern BBQ as a child. I was so confused when I didn't get my hotdog...

14. Why does no one in the south know the answer to O-H...?

People on the streets just don't know how to answer your Midwestern calls.