Let's be real here. You probably read the title of this article and silently (or even loudly) groaned to yourself. I can't say that I blame you. More people at the University of Virginia are from Northern Virginia than any place in the country (or so it seems). During introductions on the first day of classes every year, you're bound to hear Fairfax, Warrenton, Loudoun, or Manassas come up more than once.

Every NoVA'ian at some point during their college career has acted as if they don't like being from one of the counties included in NoVA. I know I have. I've joked, saying things like, "I'm from NoVA, just like pretty much everyone else at this school." Or when people roll their eyes, I say, "yeah, I kind of hate us too."

I understand the stigma that revolves around Northern Virginia. A lot of people see it simply as a portion of the state that's snooty enough to give itself a name (especially considering that most out-of-staters initially believe that NoVA is in reference to Villanova, the thought that a portion of a state has its own name is apparently too ridiculous to even consider).

I am a military brat who has moved more times than I can count on two hands. But, when my family finally settled down, Ashburn, in Loudoun County, was the place I was finally able to consider home. For the first time in my life, I was in a neighborhood where every house on the street had a child my age. We all played together, and when we got older, "hung out." We all attended state renowned elementary, middle, and high schools together. I watched as we all walked across the stage at graduation, and then, eventually, had to say goodbye as each of us left for our prospective colleges. Regardless of what non-NoVA'ians may think, I'm glad I was given the chance to grow up in an area with so many amazing friends, resources, and opportunities.

If you happen to visit one of the many counties included NoVA, you'll probably see more brand new BMW's or Range Rovers in the student section of the high school parking lot than old Chevy's or 2004 Ford Escapes. Women walk around in $200 lululemon yoga pants just for kicks, while men spend thousands of dollars to go on golf trips abroad. From an outsider's perspective, NoVA is nothing more than a giant pile of pretentiously minded money. But, in the long run, it is what I, and the majority of my friends, consider home.

So, to all of you out-of-staters, Southern Virginia folks (SoVA will never be a thing, sorry), or international students, please understand that you're definitely going to run into more than a handful of NoVA'ians throughout your time at the University. Prepare yourself for conversations about the hell that is NoVA traffic, how amazing Tyson's Mall is (or how horrible it is on Black Friday), or how going to Washington D.C. isn't necessarily fun anymore due to all the elementary school field trips. But, despite all these things, we are just like you and proud of where we come from.