As much as I talk about hating the south.... graduation is quickly approaching and (I can't believe I'm about to say this) there are some things I may actually miss about the south! Now let's got on with it before I regret writing this article!
1. The weather
Okay, this one was a given... Sunshine is never too far-off in the future and you can wear shorts the majority of the year. The 90-degree heat in the late summer months is the only downfall to deal with! The weather is very pleasant compared to cold, harsh winters in the north.
2. Smooth roads
When I was a little girl we often took vacations to Florida for spring break. The true indicator that we were finally in vacation mode - smooth roads! No more potholes or bumpy roads. It's relieving, peaceful, and makes road trips that much more fun!
3. Men's goofy fashion
I'm not sure I'll ever understand the navy-blue suit coat, khaki shorts and loafers look... I mean c'mon, that doesn't even match!
4. THE FOOD!
The most obvious being Chick-fil-A. I swear southern people are obsessed with chicken....And if you can't get enough chicken at Chick-fil-A, no worries because Zaxby's or Chicken Salad Chick is sure to be somewhere close nearby. Also, you can't beat good ol' Waffle House when you're feeling those late night munchies. And if you haven't had a traditional southern buffet with green beans, mashed potatoes, more chicken, and all the food you could ever dream of, you're definitely missing out.
5. Sundays
There's something about Sundays in the south. The whole world seems peaceful for a day; people put on their Sunday best for church and head out to weekly lunch gatherings together. The afternoons are spent hanging with friends and family, doing homework, getting stuff done around the house or, if you're lucky, taking a nap!
6. Beach trips
If you're a midwesterner like me, taking random trips to the beach for the day is not the norm considering we're about a day's drive away. However, if friends are feeling spontaneous, this is one of my favorite things about living in the south. You're never too far from the ocean and chance to dip your feet in the sand or enjoy some beautiful sunsets!
7. Socializing at Walmart
When the only big supermarket you have in town is the local Walmart, you can certainly expect to see at least one person you know each time you go shopping. Now when you're in a college town and this is the case - aw man, it becomes a socializing event every time you grocery shop! Who knew grocery shopping could be so fun?
8. Stargazing
I am a city girl at heart. But going stargazing is one of the perks of being in the south. I often use the analogy that I feel like I'm living in a snow globe at times because the night sky is glowing so beautiful!
9. Country music
Anyone who knows me knows I can't stand country music....so I'll write this one real fast before I take it back. I will reminisce about the memories of singing "Dixieland Delight" together at the end of the night... chanting our favorite add-in lyrics...
10. Football culture
Football culture is wildly different in the south. No converse, t-shirts, or jerseys... it's all about dressing up, and wearing heels and nice shirts correlating to your home team's color! You gotta look for your game day date of course! (Dates to a football game?!? Wait, what?) Tail-gating is equally as fun and cheering on your favorite teams!
Wherever life takes me next, there's sure to be some aspects of southern culture I will always reminisce about.
