As a native Southerner from Richmond, Virginia, I can say that I’m no stranger to the snow. We really aren’t past the acquaintance level, though.
I grew up with there being one good snow (that is, for those of us in the South, 3 or more inches) a year. It almost always happened in January and it usually shut down school for at least three days. I actually got my exams in January canceled twice during high school because the snow stayed on the roads and prevented us from going to school for more than a week.
As you’ve probably already guessed, my city is really prepared for snow. We have about three snow plows and it takes them about four days to get around to plowing my street which is right next to a relatively busy main street. The whole city also freaks out if there is even a remote risk of snow. I remember going to the store with my mother one time right after they announced we might be getting snow. The store was crowded and the milk was entirely gone. No one knows how to drive in it, either. I had to help my neighbor get out of a snowy ditch once, and we needed about five guys to dislodge it. All my neighbor had been doing was driving down the street. Essentially, my entire county and city shut down after any type of snow.
Since we don’t get snow that often, this makes snow a valued commodity for any Richmonder. You’re guaranteed a day off from school and the parents might get out of work if they’re lucky. We also aren’t sick of snow and we usually don’t have to shovel too much or for that long before our driveways are clear or the snow has started to melt away. It’s almost never here. That’s why it is akin to a special occasion or a treat. This brings me to my main point…please snow! The city will be fine for a couple days and I don’t have the motivation to do anything anyway. All I want is to watch those little white flakes fall down on my yard and my driveway and know that tomorrow I can go sledding or build a fort or maybe participate in a snowball war. As I wrote this, it came to my attention that these activities sound very childish. I then realized that I couldn’t care less and that I am sometimes extremely childish (problem solved). Snow is fun and I need just a little bit!
Come on, snow! I know you’re out there!
