To the South,

I will begin with my admission that I will never move away from you. Although, I did consider it after spending two summers in New England. I was able to go outside and not feel like I was physically and emotionally melting. However, I have realized that I will never be used to snow. I'm fine with playing in the snow, but I hate driving through raindrops let alone snowfall. I also don't want to slip on ice patches and have to shovel myself out of my driveway. I didn't grow up with this. I grew up in the South.

Between the North's "too cold" winters and your "too hot" summers, I have determined the latter as the lesser of the two evils. However, 2016 has been ridiculous. It. Is. November. I am sitting here, sweating while writing this, just because I had to walk from one academic building to the other. Why is it 82 degrees in Fort Worth, Texas right now, only two degrees away from the high today? Why is the low 72? Shouldn't it be 52 or lower by now?

Now you may be thinking, Why doesn't she just go even further south? Lake Charles, Louisiana, my hometown, also is at 82 degrees with a high of 84. It is only one hour north of the Gulf of Mexico. The problem is not solved. The problem is everywhere in the southern region of the US. I wouldn't consider it a problem in the summer; we southerners have accepted these ridiculously hot and humid months as the norm. But the season of summer technically ended on September 22. Now, it's time for sweater weather. It's time for us to turn our heaters on and air conditioners off. It's time to fill our college dorm or apartment closets with pants and jackets and not shorts and tank tops. Plus, I really want to wear my purple boots to a TCU game. However, this looks unlikely as I so far have emerged from the football stadium with a sunburn and on the cusp of dehydration.

Every season, including winter (even though the South doesn't deal with snow often), has its cons, but it also has its pros. The pros are why I want winter to come. I don't want to feel like I missed a season like last year. Please stop the sun from beaming on us.

Sincerely,

Olivia Heinen