1. Not being cold in 50 degree, 40 degree or even really 30 degree weather. Cold means anything below 20. Period.

2. Having an awesome hockey, football (sometimes), basketball and baseball team(s) to root for. Because, well, Chicago rocks.

3. Perfecting the art of layering clothing since 30 degrees in the morning may mean 60 degrees by 3 p.m. This is not a joke.

4. Being loud and proud about the amazing mouth-watering food found in our state such as Italian beef or deep-dish pizza.

5. Explaining to people that you do not have an accent...you just may happen to say your A's like thAAAt.

6. Appreciating a warm, cloud-free spring day when we're reminded what the sun looks like after five long months of gray.

7. Being an absolute expert at driving in any weather condition. No, the snow will not stop us. Rain, sleet, hail? Heck no.

8. Never, EVER using ketchup on a hotdog. Sickos...

9. Sometimes trick-or-treating in the snow...or, sometimes experiencing snow during spring break. Because you know, there's really always a chance of snow in Illinois.

10. Realizing that 90 percent of your state is complete farmland. Which is why our corn is so darn good.

11. Explaining to people that although we are not from the city of Chicago, we live near it. Where, might you ask? Well, to be completely honest, you'll probably have no idea.

12. Swimming in water that never really gets that warm. And yes, we're talking about you, Lake Michigan.

13. And, swimming in bodies of water that do not possess any salt.

14. But most importantly, loving and supporting the greatest city on Earth: Chicago.