Growing up in Eastern KY might not seem that much different from growing up in any other part of the state. I hadn't even understood the impact it played in my life until I came to college at Georgetown. I moved 2.5 hours away from my hometown to realize not all Kentuckians are like Eastern Kentuckians. This is not to say that being from Eastern Kentucky places you above any other person born in Kentucky. (We all know that would be a massive plot twist) However, when you have to constantly repeat yourself when being introduced to new people because they can't understand your "hick accent" things come into perspective.

1. Those hills are breathtaking and should not be overlooked.

If there is one thing I know to be true, it's that I took the beauty of my hometown for granted before I left. Driving home on the mountain parkway is a trance. The further east you come the bigger they get. It shows that what some people render "useless" and "in the way" we can find beautiful. There's nothing like sitting on top of a hill, overlooking trees, admiring nature's work.

2. Our families consist of more than just Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister. Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Grandma, neighbor Tom and the school principal count too.

Family. A word never taken for granted in my house. Family is more to us than blood. To a lot of people growing up around just mom, dad, and siblings is the norm. In Eastern KY, that's preposterous. Great Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, cousins twice removed everyone counts. They will all be there for every step we take, and what else could make the memories more special?

3. We live in hollers, and yes it's a thing.

One thing I hated from the get go when I moved to college was explaining to people what a holler is. Hollow? No. Not a hollow. If you're from Eastern KY you more than likely live in some sort of holler, because who doesn't want their backyard to be full of beautiful trees and a mountain side?

4. Hanging out in the local parking lot was a lot more fun than you'd initially think.

We love to sit on tailgates and talk about the game next Friday. We love to sit in K-mart parking lots and meet up with every other kid we will graduate high school with. Those nights turned into the most fun nights I had in high school. We didn't have much, but we had it all.

5. This country accent is part of us and we are dang proud.

Showing up at my first cheer tryouts for college was nerve-wracking enough, I didn't want the sound of my voice to set me apart. Little did I know, that sound would kickstart some of the best friendships I have ever had. The way we sound should not be diminished or looked down upon. We are unique and we should all be extra proud of where we come from.

We're not all rednecks and junkies. We grew up in a magical place and we shouldn't be afraid to show the world how much we love Eastern KY.