I was born and raised in the good ol' state of Iowa. I moved many times but never out of the Iowa side of the Quad Cities until I came to college in Denver, Colorado. Whenever I stumble upon those typical "get to know you" questions, I of course get asked where I'm from. When I reply with "Iowa", I usually receive groans, disturbed looks, or phrases that include "oh, I'm sorry," "so that's why you're staying here for the summer," or, "is that the place with the potatoes or corn?"
To answer that last question, Idaho grows potatoes. It's also on the other side of the country. Know your states, people. But alas, I digress.
No matter how much of me sometimes agrees with the disheartening comments people make about the state of Iowa, I have come to grow quite fond of my home state. Of course it's no Colorado, but Iowa does have its perks, and it definitely is not as bad as most people think it is.
First off, Iowa produces some pretty great people.
Our charming little state has been home to many modest people, and some of them happened to become famous. Some of these famous Iowans include Ashton Kutcher, John Wayne, Elijah Wood, and Nate Ruess.
Secondly, Iowa produces some pretty amazing corn.
Are you really from Iowa if you don't talk about corn every so often? It's everywhere and it deserves to be because it is so dang delicious. Corn in Iowa is so huge that, on average, it grows more corn than most countries do. And sweet corn? If you've never had it, you really need to. You would never think that vegetables could be so good.
But Iowa isn't all cornfields and hick-towns.
Iowa has some more suburban, metropolitan areas like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities. And if you're from the eastern part of the state, there are two very important things to experience. Whitey's ice cream and the Mississippi river. Whitey's ice cream was recently voted best in the world, so remember that when you think your hometown ice cream is the best. Another perk to living on the east side is that the Mississippi river is at your disposal for tubing, boating, lounging, ice fishing and other activities all year round.
And either way, hick-town or metro, Iowa is beautiful.
I have seen some of the prettiest sun rises and sunsets in Iowa. People also come from around the country to watch and photograph the thousands of bald eagles that line the Mississippi each winter. All that along with the green, rolling hills that cover the state allow for a gorgeous view that is always picture perfect.
Also, politicians love us.
Iowa is a swing state and is also the first state to caucus, or vote, in the primaries. Iowans set the tone of the political race throughout the whole presidential race, so politicians are constantly sweet talking us for our vote. So, if you're super into politics, live in one of those metropolitan areas I mentioned above.
Iowans, and midwesterners in general, are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
When I moved to Colorado, I realized how abnormally nice we midwesterners are. Sometimes people would get weirded out by how friendly I was to strangers and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why that was. It's because of those good ole' midwestern values and manners that were instilled in us at an early age. Now, we just need to spread that a little farther to the rest of the country.
And as if that isn't enough, it's home.
Iowa will always be home to me, as it is for so many others. It will always be a place of comfort and rest. In the midst of crazy, fast-paced college life, there's nothing quite like going home and being with family and old friends in the sweet state of Iowa.
