A lot of people from the East and West coasts don't understand why I have so much pride for my Midwestern roots. I think anyone with an appreciation for where they are from would fight for their home state but, in the Midwest, things are more intense.
At a university with a high concentration of students from the East Coast, my Midwestern lingo has both been a surprise and an opportunity to be mocked. At orientation, I mentioned that there was water and pop available to drink and some of my orientation group was truly shaken that I had just used "a sound" to describe their beloved soda. Initially embarrassed, I tried to check my language whenever I talked. My "accent" has been a point of conversation with friends here who, despite their respect for me, belittle my speech by calling my dialect "cute" and "adorable". Little do they know, newscasters are often sent to the Midwest to learn the most understandable way of speaking.
The Midwest has some cities, like Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis, but I can't imagine a road trip without passing corn fields. Sure, they may be boring to look at, but they make good scenery for pictures and can always facilitate my falling into a deep sleep.
Growing up, I visited several working farms and have learned more about the inner workings of a farm by experience than my urban counterparts. Although I live close to several farms, the Midwest also has its fair share of suburban communities. Whatever community you seek in the Midwest, you can find.
The Midwest is wholesome. The best summer nights are filled with s'mores by the campfire, the sound of cicadas, and the open air. Theme parks and festivals are to be enjoyed by the whole family. Sports of all kind are cherished and appreciated. Graduation parties are family affairs, with insane amounts of homestyle cooking and cornhole boards decorated with your future college.
Most people from the Midwest are some of the kindest you will ever meet. I'm not just saying that because I'm from there, but I genuinely believe that is true. A struggle is often met with an offer to help from anyone, even strangers. My first visit to NYC proved that not all people will treat you as kindly as those from the heart of the United States.
I wear my Ohio necklace almost daily. People have asked me what state it is, or claimed that it looks like a square, but I can't help but to defend the state that I love to death. Since I've put a sticker of Ohio on my computer, more attention is given to where I'm from. The facetious comments of "Oh, Ohio must be so great" and "Wow, there's a lot to do in Cleveland" haven't stopped, and they probably never will. Defending my home to classy East Coasters and cool West Coasters is something I won't ever stop doing, but I don't mind because my love for the Midwest has no limit.
