When I moved to Texas my friends from the east coast teased me a lot asking if I was going to be playing with scorpions, living in the desert, and riding horses to school. I was scared out of my mind to live in a state with supposedly no seasons or even souls according to some of the adults I saw on MSNBC at the time who talked way too loud and called Texas "George W. land." My mom would laugh to our neighbors about how she said she would never live in Texas and yet there we were while my dad seemed awfully excited to live in the "soulless" state. I grew up in a politically split household and changed my mind every day on who I agreed with more, usually debating over trivial facts look who was better looking or who I thought gave me more money. Of course, at this time I knew nothing about politics and was more concerned about going through puberty and why I looked like a bald chimpanzee instead of the adorable little girl I used to be than anything having to do with Government.

Fast forward a couple of years and I can confidently say I am not confused whatsoever anymore- I am a loud, opinionated, and proud liberal. Living in Austin, Texas- an eclectic hub for all hipsters and musicians alike in the middle of the Lone Star State- being left leaning was usually pretty accepted. In high school I found a true passion for social issues: women's rights, black lives matter, religious freedom, combating rape culture, LGBTQI+ equality, immigration, mental illness awareness, and being annoyingly politically correct fueled my passion for politics. I found a few enemies and definitely got into my fair share of heated arguments of the reality of global warming and the reason behind homelessness not always just being "they're lazy." Then, and even now, I could go on for hours and hours about my conviction for a better tomorrow and an equal America. Every day a new battle against xenophobia, dress code, the absurdity of #AllLivesMatter, or the joke that in my opinion is Donald Trump. I was dating a guy who was the only person I knew more liberal than me, I was living with a very liberal mother, and practically all my close friends either didn't care or were fighting the same good fight I was. In my head, it would always be that way. I suppose that sounds intolerant but at the time I really thought that was just the norm- that the left just didn't mix with the right too often.

Going into college, however, I was in for a major reality check. I thought going to a Univeristy I would be surrounded by Bernie supporters (still mourning my loss, y'all. #ImWithHer only because I can't feel the Bern) as my age group was projected to be way more in his favor. Boy was I wrong. The students that make up Texas State University (planted in San Marcos which lives in between Austin and San Antonio) definitely bleed that sweet conservative red. That first couple of months I was astonished but I never thought I would see myself where I am now.

Don't worry- I'm still as liberal as it gets. However, I definitely can feel pretty isolated in my democratic beliefs among my friends. First off, my college friends all HATE Hillary. I see more Benghazi posts from many of my sorority sisters than I do about any other topics. Next, they LOVE their guns. I mean, really, really love their guns. Campus carry is highly celebrated around here and firearms are as precious as their dogs. I see Come And Take It stickers, shirts, posters, and all the other forms at bay to flash their confederate pride. Politics are not allowed to be discussed when we are at meals together. Facebook is a scary place where we hold back and try not to get into petty social media fights on each other's posts. I hold my tongue for every Tomi Lahren shared post and they ignore my rape culture rants. We exist in a world in which we can appreciate the character and company of one another while absolutely hating so much of what the other stands by.

I have this really good friend group made up of 19 of the sweetest, funniest, Godliest, most moral group of people I've ever had the blessing of knowing. And, damn, most of them don't agree with me on a single political thing. Yeah, they can make me so mad but at no point does my love for them lessen. I get a kick out of seeing them trying to convince me of something that my heart will never believe and they love to make fun of me for being a little ol' blueberry in their bowl of tomato soup. The first night I met all of them I was floored by their conservativeness and it made all of them and all of me question whether there was a future ahead with these friendships- but I am so glad that there was.

I'd say coming out of my freshmen year almost all of the closest friendships I made were all with those who identify with the Republican party. Some of these being people who I know I will be best friends with for years- one day I'll plan their weddings and make a drunken speech about how I thought they were racist the first time I met them. See, while I don't agree with a lot of their ideologies that doesn't change the fact that they all helped bring me out of a pretty dark place and helped me grow as a human being. For that and for who they are, right winged ways and all, I love them so much. It wasn't what I expected and that's okay because I think our way to not only coexist but embrace one another for our differences with full acceptance and love is pretty beautiful.

But really y'all...global warming does exist. ;)