First, I'd like to get things straight: I was born and raised in Michigan. I have experienced the city life while living the country life. Michigan and I, we're tight.

Now that the air is cleared and y'all know that I am a qualified Michigander, let's chat about this weather. We always say, "you should be used to it, it's Michigan"; well friends this shit you cannot and never will get used to. The 24-degree day with just a casual 3-8 inch snow stormy night- to the -partly cloudy 57-degree day with a chance that it will definitely rain all day long. We get it! Pack your rain boots, parka, shorts, sunglasses, and sweatshirt!

But what we Michiganders don't talk much about are the things that are not physically seen when this weather takes a twisting turn every day in a week.

The snow is calming to watch, just stay inside with your heated blanket, hot tea, and binge Netflix. But at some point, you're going to have to go outside. At that moment, we become instantly stressed. What do I have to wear to stay warm but be professional for work? How long will it take to clear my car off? How much extra time do I need for the road conditions to get to work? All of this anxiety adds to the daily stress we go through normally.

Then the temperature heats up, snow starts to melt, and the rain begins. It's days like these when it's the hardest. The sound of the rain hitting your window, the warm comfortable spot in your bed, the dark cloudy sky constantly lacking the vitamin D we all need. The mental funk that takes over in your head. For me, the memories of lost ones come to mind, because for some reason every time someone passes it rains. These days turn into the: Am I worth it? Do I have the future I want? Am I working hard enough to succeed? Does anyone actually and truly care? All of this sadness adds onto the daily emotional drain we go through normally.

Finally we get a small glimpse of the sun! It's still February, but it's 60 degrees. The thought of beach days, car rides with the windows down, bonfires with close friends, and weekends up north all come to mind. We look through our past photos from summer vacations, pick our favorite one (you know, the one in your bathing suit with the sunset in the background) and we post it on Instagram saying something like "chilly here, take me back to *insert vacay spot* please." All of this reminiscing adds onto the daily social need we go through normally.

We've finished the week now, gone through each weather stage Michigan can offer us... for now... and we just start over next Monday. It's a wild ride here, from hunting season to summers at Mackinaw, we stand tall and live through it all.

If you ever need help, speak up and tell someone. Life is hard and Michigan weather doesn't make anything easier. Putting your big girl panties on and getting over it isn't always the answer. Tell someone, because most likely they're going through the same thing too. Go through it together, work through it together, and enjoy the four seasons while you can!

So, when you get here just look for our sign, "Welcome to Pure Michigan", we are quite the unsalted and shark free group!