From the sandy beaches of Oak Island, to the rocky slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is no other place quite like North Carolina. From the Tar Heels to the Blue Devils to the Wolves, there is always a team to join. From the cities of Charlotte to Raleigh, the shopping is endless. Though it may get boring or you "can't wait to move far away", remember the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Living in North Carolina is a privilege, and don't let anyone tell you different. Be proud of where you're from! If you live in "Tar Heel Nation", you should be able to relate to these signs:
1. "Lunch" is "Dinner" and "Dinner" is "Supper".
2. High school football games are a part of every Friday night.
3. Small towns around you have never been heard of.
Growing up, I knew the struggle. Utter the town "Casar" to somebody and you will get odd, confused looks.
4. The weather can never make up its mind.
5. So there are some people who wear flip-flops all year round.
Thankfully, we don't have to drudge through six feet of snow.
6. Tea is always sweetened.
7. Walmart is the busiest place in town.
8. Gossip travels fast.
Because you will hear it through the grapevine.
9. You either bleed light blue, dark blue or red.
You have to choose one.
10. You probably went to a college in your state.
For various reasons: in-state tuition is cheaper or you're still "close" to home, but far enough to have freedom.
11. Sometimes you spent an hour or more on the school bus.
12. Your middle school took a trip to the Outer Banks.
And you loved every minute of the trip.
13. Hot dogs/hamburgers are ordered "all the way".
Behold, onions, mustard, coleslaw, and chili. Glorious.
14. You know where great movies were filmed in North Carolina.
15. Christmas is taken very seriously.
Pictured above is the McAdenville Christmas lights, the place more commonly known as "Christmastown, USA". A Christmas in North Carolina isn't complete without Christmas light-seeing.
16. No state does Fall quite like NC.
There is nothing more breathtaking than a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway during the fall season.
17. You know the struggle of having "after nines" when first getting your license.
18. Your high school most likely had a "YoungLife".
19. Ace & TJ accompanied you on your car ride to school.
The morning talk show on 96.1 FM was quite calming on the ride to school.
20. You had school cancelled for freezing rain or signs of snowflakes.
21. Everybody watches WBTV news.
22. You've been to Carowinds at least once.
23. You walked across the swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain.
Or you chickened out and stayed behind.
24. You know all the best swimming holes.
25. You had to memorize NC lighthouses in middle school.
26. Cookout is still the cheapest fast food restaurant around.
27. Senior week, and spring break, usually include a trip to the beach.
28. Krispy Kreme donuts are the best.
Vernon Rudolph created the legendary donuts in the 1930s in Winston-Salem, NC.
29. Mountain Dew and Cheerwine are life.
You know that Cheerwine originated in Salisbury, NC. Mountain Dew was invented in Fayetteville, NC.
30. Two words: Pepsi Cola.
Pepsi was created in New Bern, NC. Not only is it from our state, but it's delicious.
31. Directions are based on landmarks.
Admit it, we are all guilty of giving directions based off of landmarks. To make matters worse, we tend to give directions according to where places "used to be".
32. Charlotte, Hickory, and Raleigh are the "big cities".
33. There's most likely a Dollar Tree near your local movie theatre.
And some of us use that to our full advantage.
34. The bigger your car, the better.
Whether it's big pick-up trucks, or big rims, I've seen it all.
35. The fair is mandatory.
Let's face it. Whether it's your county fair or the big state fair in Raleigh, you always go. There is nowhere else you can get candy apples, fried pickles, funnel cakes, and rides galore.
36. You wish the Hornets had kept their original mascot....
But you're glad that after ten years of being the Bobcats, the mascot was changed back to the Hornets. Now you're glad that you kept all your Hornets gear.
37. You cheer for the Panthers when your team isn't playing.
Because even if the Panthers aren't your favorite team, you know that if they aren't playing your team, you secretly cheer them on. Or maybe you're just a die-hard Panthers fan all the time. #KeepPounding
38. You know Calabash seafood is the best seafood.
The little town of Calabash, NC, proves that seafood is still one of the most delicious meals.
39. You know that you'll never get thirsty in Asheville.
Known as "Beer City, USA", every year Asheville holds a beer festival around May.
40. Deep down, you know there's no other place you'd rather be.
