There's nothing like pulling through back and forth over that close Georgia state line. People from Florida are unique, in themselves. As a breed of our own, we are three or four different cultures all shoved into one. We aren't really classified as being in the South, but of course we're not the North. So what are we?
If you're from Fernandina Beach, this only goes one step further.
1. You drive to Valdosta, Ga. to go to Wild Adventures instead of Orlando.
2. No, I actually don't spend my winters on the beach.
You've seen tourists come and shiver in early March or late February, thinking it will be warm enough to swim. Oops, sorry.
3. We're still considered Southerners.
We have country people too; you forget Georgia is only half an hour, or an hour, away. We say yes ma'am, no sir, and thank you just like the rest of them.
4. You grew up knowing your way around the beach.
We know when not to get in, and what flags to avoid. Don't think of disturbing a turtle's nest. And of course, the best beaches were empty ones.
5. You miss the two big waterslides.
You could spend hours and hours climbing the stairs and going down the same slide over and over again. Just as long as your BFF was with you.
6. Publix holds a special place in your heart
There's no cleaner grocery store with better quality and customer service. And that's just the truth.
7. Publix Subs hold an even more special place in your heart, and stomach.
8. You ran around the Yulee Sports Complex eating cheese fries and looking for foul balls while your brother played football, or your sister cheered, and the moms all gossiped.
9. You know the worst of a hurricane will boomerang away from us.
10. You looked at the frost on your lawn in the winter and wish that was enough to constitute as the snow day you'll never have.
Don't forget to wrap your plants so they don't die from the 40 Degree weather.
11. Of course, that questionably dangerous class field trip to Okefenokee swamp.
12. Being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, I'm sorry.
13. You know that familiar Florida Oranges sign all too well.
14. You've watched trees turn into Targets, and homes turn into condominium complexes.
The beach becomes more and more overrun every year.
15. UF vs. FSU is more than just a big deal.
That kind of hatred is special. It's a lifestyle.
16. You have dozens of mosquito bites almost year round.
And you're not afraid to smack one.
17. Flip flops. Year round. Temperature doesn't apply.
18. Shrimp Fest is the social event of the year.
Ain't no shrimp like the shrimp fest shrimp.
19. No matter where you go, you'll always call it home.
You always come back.
