Growing up I always wanted to call a Southern guy mine. From the way they dressed, to the way they talked, every girl's heart would for sure melt over these mama’s boys.

Moving to Tennessee, I wondered if I would find myself a Southern man. I did.

Here are 14 things that dating a Southern man has taught me so far:

1. God

Going to church is just one of the things Southern families raise their children to do. To have a relationship with Christ seems to define a person on a more effective level. It is an important factor in most relationships he will have.

2. Sweet Tea is required

If you are from the South, sweet tea is what you drink. It is a part of our culture and it is damn delicious too. Who wouldn’t want some sweet tea in a mason jar with every meal? Probably only a Northerner.

3. Baggage. There will be baggage.

Of course, everyone is going to have a past, but just as depicted in movies, Southerners tend to have more baggage than others. But there is nothing wrong with that, just prepare yourself for the worst and pray for the best. Everything else will come with time.

4. His Southern ways

I have never met a man that has showed me more respect than the man that I am dating. From pulling out my chair, to opening and closing doors, to saying please and thank you, it does not get any better than that. I thank his parents for this. Any girl would kill for this.

5. Let the man have his Jack n’ Coke

A southern man will never let you take away his Jack n’ Coke. It is like a way of life, and for sure my man’s way of life. He’ll say, “There is nothing better than havin’ a yeti cup filled with Jack n’ Coke after getting home from work.” This is something you will just have to deal with.

6. The over playing of his favorite country songs

I am from the south, so I absolutely do not have a problem with country music, but when your Southern man plays the same song over and over again it can kind of get annoying. But if he’s singing to you, just embrace it and cherish that moment. It will not happen every time. I promise.

7. The bigger the truck, the better

All southern men love jacked up trucks on 45’s. And us southern women cannot disagree this for sure is a turn on. We like jacked up trucks and going mudding in them. It's just what we like. Don't ask me to explain it.

8. Football is more than a game, it is a way of life

Dating a man who, like myself, is originally from Georgia makes our love for football even greater. We both love the Georgia Bulldogs and the SEC. I don’t care where we are at we will show our bulldog pride and that is how it is going to be. No matter what team, football is a huge part of our lives, and that will never change.

9. He will always love his momma

Every Southern boy loves their momma and I know mine does. From her Dolly Parton looks to her amazing cooking, all the way down to shouting at the television screen when football is on. There is nothing more he could ask for than a loving momma that has shown him how to live life to the fullest.

10. His best friend is for life

They have seriously known each other for the longest time. They have so many stories they will probably tell anyone at any point in time. You better be damn sure that he will be his best man the day he marries the girl of his dreams.

11. Family is very important

No matter what anyone says, family is important and that is the main focus of most men. They want to have relationships like their parents have, ones that will last forever and make memories they would be able to share with their future children.

12. He is looking for someone to bring home to mom and dad

Yes, there are times that he may not act his age, but deep down he is looking for someone to settle down with and bring home to mom and dad. One that they would actually approve of. So here starts the journey.

13. He dedicates songs to you

When he really cares for you, you will see that he will show it in some type of way. Mine just dedicates Thomas Rhett’s, “Die a Happy Man” to me. Now every time that song comes on I just look at him and think how much I have fallen in love with him and where our relationship will get to in the future.

14. Dippin’ is what they do

Now I know I made a promise to never argue with his bad habits, but sometimes dipping is just gross. But you are never going to get a southern man to change the fact that he dips. He will always have that spit bottle handy and he’ll try not to do it in front of you, but the longer y’all are together the faster that goes out the window.

Thank you for teaching me how to love you and your bad habits. Forever and always, your girlfriend.