"It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most. Not where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes." - Zac Brown Band

I have never had a place that I have stayed in very long but I always consider Tennessee home. It's where I spend my holidays and it's where my whole family lives. The thing is if you ever talked to me you would never get the "Southern stereotype."

I don't listen to a lot of country music, I have never had moonshine, I have never really worn a pair of cowboy boots and I definitely don't call people "sweetie". I don't find anything wrong with these stereotypes because I know people who do all these things and some others, but that's just not me. I have lived everywhere, traveled Europe, and I just don't any of that. So why do I consider myself from Tennessee?

First, when I go home, it's a big deal. I don't get to go every month or every other month. It's usually once a year. My entire family lives within 20 minutes of each other so I'm the black sheep. When I come in on Christmas Eve it will always make me feel special. Your cousins are like your first friends and I can spend the entire night reminiscing and playing catch up with them.

Second, sweet tea pretty much runs through my veins. Anyone can tell you that I like tea with my sugar instead of the other way around. I don't know why it is so amazing but it's basically like water to me. You have sweet tea in the house, we are best friends. You got a jar of sugar then we are best friends.

Third, it is buggy. If we are walking through Walmart then my mom will tell me to "get the damn buggy" not "get the shopping cart". Not that shopping cart isn't a thing but buggy is a thing too. Anybody from Tennessee will tell you that.

Fourth, faith. I love how grounded everyone still is in their faith. You don't get any eyeballs just because you believe in God. I will never stop believing and that's why I am so accepting of others. "Love thy neighbor" is my motto. Just because I was born in the south and believe in God doesn't make me a negative or hateful person.

Finally, I just couldn't imagine not spending my holidays without being in a small southern town where they all know my family. I also couldn't imagine not going to Murfreesboro to shop or flying into Nashville airport and receiving that first hug from my grandpa. Seeing everyone I love in the same place and feeling grateful at the end of every year.

When you are in Tennessee you may not get a beach but you get mountains, hipsters, country, rock 'n' roll, and some of the sweetest people you will meet. For me, I just feel that southern comfort.

“Being Southern isn't talking with an accent or rocking on a porch while drinking sweet tea, or knowing how to tell a good story. It's how you're brought up—with Southerners, family (blood kin or not) is sacred; you respect others and are polite nearly to a fault; you always know your place but are fierce about your beliefs. And food along with college football—is darn near a religion.” - Jan Norris