A couple weeks ago, #GrowingUpInKentucky started trending on twitter. As I read through the list, I was shocked by how accurate almost every single one of them was. So, I generated my own list of things that seem to be unique to growing up the Bluegrass state. Then I realized they weren’t so much about growing up in Kentucky, but more specifically growing up in Eastern Kentucky, which is a whole different ball park. Here goes.

#GrowingUpInEasternKentucky means:

1. Never doing actual class work during March Madness. Instead, we filled out brackets for a grade.
2. You’re assigned to being a UK fan at birth, and if you fight this you will be shunned with the highest level of shunnery.
3. Soup beans and cornbread are a staple dinner food.
4. For breakfast, it’s biscuits and gravy or nothing.
5. Going away for school and having to explain what a holler is.
6. No one actually believing your road name because it’s something ridiculous like Boat Gunnel or Sugar Loaf.
7. Driving 2 hours to get to a mall or any decently sized city.
8. Driving 45 minutes just to reach the other side of the county.
9. Having a church around every corner. I get that this is a pretty common Bible belt thing, but seriously the number of churches at least triples the number of stores here.
10. There’s nothing to do so as a kid you just play in the mud for fun. As an adult, you still just play in the mud for fun, but now with a 4 wheeler or truck.
11. When you’re not playing in the mud, you’re hanging out in parking lots. If you’re from Eastern Kentucky, you’ve done this at least once; don’t lie.
12. When someone asks where you're from, you answer them by telling how far your town is from Louisville or Lexington.
13. People look at you funny if you say you don't like country music, hunting, or fishing.
14. At least half of your high school classmates wore camo or boots on any given day.
15. You wave at everyone that drives up and down your road. That isn't just some cliche saying. We actually do that.
16. You will never go into town without seeing someone you know.
17. Every adult in the county knows your parents, so if you act up, you know they're going to find out.
18. "Your accent is so thick." Enough said.
19. Sweet tea is always offered at any birthday party, wedding, event of any kind.
20. Being behind on the rest of the world on everything. Movies come to your theater a month after they've come out. Playing Pokemon Go literally looks like this:

All of these are absolutely the truth, but we shouldn't forget that living in Appalachia isn't a bad thing. #GrowingUpInEasternKentucky also means:

21. The entire town coming together to grieve and support each other any time something tragic happens

22. Having 20 family members coming over for dinner every Sunday

23. Your backyard looks like a postcard in the fall.

24. Having the same best friends since kindergarten

25. That feeling when you've been gone for a while, and you start to see the mountains coming into view and all you can think is, "I'm home."