Sometimes the good old state of Michigan gets a bad wrap. Yes, sure sometimes winter seems never-ending and we are on New York or California, but I am thankful I grew up here. And heres why:

I'm thankful for growing up in Michigan because....

Michigan taught me about loyalty. Growing up in Michigan teaches loyalty for a few reasons. For one, Detroit itself is all about loyalty. Detroit has hit hard times in the past 50 years, but growing up in Michigan means being proud of it anyway. Being proud of what Detroit was, what it can be, and what it still has to offer today. This of course includes the Red Wings, Coney dogs, and ice skating at Campus Martius. Along with an unwavering lesson in loyalty to our city, growing up in Michigan teaches loyalty because lets be honest, anyone who can still wear a team's jersey (I won't name names but cough cough Lions) after so many losing seasons is living proof that home town loyalty runs deep. Of course this loyalty is much easier learned at times when it comes to our great sports teams such as those Detroit Red Wings we all know and love.

I've learned the importance of healthy competition and passion. The rivalry between Michigan State and U of M goes back for years and years, and it's one of the most fun parts of growing up in the mitten. Although division can be bad for a community, it can also be fun and tradition. I know other states have their own in-state rivalries, but it just doesn't seem like any match up to the Wolverine/Spartan divide.

I am now and forever will be a lake person. There are lake people, and there are ocean people, and like most Michiganders, I am a lake person through and through. Sitting on a dock waiting to hop on a pontoon boat or speed boat to go tubing is by far one of the best experiences a person can have.

I know that secretly the drinking age is actually 19 if you just visit those Canadians neighbors of ours.

We are the birthplace of some pretty famous people including: Madonna, John Hughes, Kid Rock, Eminem, Tim Allen, Kristen Bell, and Dax Shepard to name a few.

(I mean look at Kid Rock here, he's obviously from a pretty dope place)

I am thankful for growing up here because we might have some tough winters, but fall football season in Michigan is like no other. The trees change, the cider mills open and there is no better time of year.

Finally, and maybe most importantly I am proud to be from Michigan because I know with absolute certainty that if someone asks were I am from. I will whip out one of my hands and points to a place on my palm.

So thanks Michigan for the life lessons, the summer memories, and best of all for just being you.