Being a Texan means many things- ideas and logics that only us southerners would understand. Although I haven't always lived in this state where everything is bigger, I have grown to call it my home. I have called Texas my home for the past nine years and plan to keep it that way for the many more years to come.

I bounced around states for the beginning portion of my life, up and down the east coast. When I moved to Texas however, the first thing I noticed was that this state was not like the old timey western movies. Now it may have been the excessive use of the word "y'all" or the fact no one rode horses everywhere, but I was thrown off. There were no dirt roads or tumbleweeds, but that's not to say elsewhere in the state there wasn't that.

I am from Houston. I love that phrase and all that comes with it. Anywhere you go in Texas, the mention of living in Houston is an extravagant outrage of the phrase "H-Tine" with a universal hand signal. Being from Houston specifically means having to ask, "Which part?" because no one is really FROM Houston. Being from Houston means spending all of March watching bull riding, a concert or two, and consuming giant corndogs. Being from Houston means having the opportunity to go to the beach, even if it's the dark waters of Galveston. Being from Houston means calling the Texans stadium Reliant instead of NRG because that's what it has always been. Being from Houston means taking nostalgic pictures of the Be Someone sign and in front of the Color Wall. Being from Houston means having all professional sports teams from your city whether it be the Texans, the Rockets, the Astros or the Dynamos. And lastly, being from Houston means driving over an hour and still being in what is considered Houston.

I am actually from Missouri City, a small city thirty minutes south of downtown Houston. But like I said, this is still considered Houston.

Being from Texas however, is a little different. When you're from Texas, you're known for southern accents and having everything bigger. If you're a Texan, it means going to HEB on the daily because that's practically the only grocery store. Being a Texan means Whataburger runs for late night cravings. Being a Texan means Blue Bell Ice Cream in the middle of a scorching hot summer day. Being from Texas means spending Friday night at the nearby high school screaming your lungs out at a football game. Being a Texan means extravagant Homecomings in the fall with mums bigger than the girls' body. Being a Texan means a lack of four seasons and more like two. Being from Texas means rivalry between "Gig em" and "Hook em." Being from Texas means having some of the best food, specifically barbecue and Mexican food. Being a Texan means possibly living on a farm or in the suburbs or in the city. Being from Texas means bluebonnets, big fields and open skies. Being from Texas means long road trips with the windows rolled down.

Being from Texas means living in-state you'll always want to call home.