At my school anytime you ask someone where they're from, 8 times out of 10 they will say anywhere that is not Florida (so far the most common is New Jersey). And don't get me wrong, but there are just some things that out-of-state kids don't understand.

First, our obsession with Publix and Publix subs. Those things were literally crafted by the hands of Jesus himself, no doubt. And trying to explain to a kid who has never even seen a Publix is probably about just as easy as fitting a square peg into a round hole. One reason this is so difficult is because most kids from up north will argue that southern bread is terrible, well not if you go to Publix sweetheart. And then explaining to them that growing up you 'have a Publix' is just like speaking Chinese. And then you try to lure them in with the fried chicken, but that's a 'southern' food, so that doesn't register with them as delicious like it does for us. Publix is just a sweet island of goodness in a sea of humidity and palm trees. Take my Floridian expertise on it, Publix is the Holy Land kiddos.

Secondly, people that are not Floridians do not understand the annoyance at being told that Florida isn't 'South' and that we don't really count as a 'Southern state'. SWEETHEART, WE ARE THE MOST SOUTHERN STATE ON THE EAST COAST. DO NOT TELL ME WE DON'T COUNT. Nothing irks me more than being told I'm not from the South. Honey, there is sweet tea in my veins and fried chicken may have very well been my first word. What they don't understand is that there are parts of Florida that aren't necessarily very 'southern' but Florida itself is a Southern State. Tampa does not scream south, but trust me, that this one city does not speak for the entire state. Florida is southern, we love sweet tea, fried chicken, Publix, and college football, and we were part of the Confederate States in the Civil War. So yes, Florida is a Southern State as far as I'm concerned.

Next topic, I'm just gonna say weather and I mean all aspects of weather like the humidity, the rain, the hurricanes, all of it. Yes, I have lived in Florida my whole life. No, I cannot tell you when the rain will stop. Why? I'm not a meteorologist, I'm just a girl sitting in the classroom (also soaked from the rain outside). I'm just used to it and don't really care that I look like I just stepped off of Splash Mountain at Disney. It rains in Florida like every day, we actually nicknamed ourselves the Sunshine State just to screw with everyone; sorry about it. Also, no I do not recommend you going outside during a HURRICANE because well honestly, a palm tree might fall on you. But no worries, we live through those and so will you :)

So, after I have officially spilt ALL feelings, I really do love you out-of-state kiddos. You're great, and we are very honored that you chose Florida. But somethings are just for Floridians only and cannot be understood by anyone other than Floridians.