We all hold an affinity towards certain places: a place we call home, a place we call our alma mater, a place we call grandmas and more. With all of those places we have our rules and our culture, and for me these rules and endearing qualities of the Shore make it home.

All my friends from college give me grief that I adore the Eastern Shore, that I have shirts that say Maryland, that I say “y'all” and that I wave at everybody, but I am telling you it is all instinct and Maryland pride. With that pride comes five things. If you ask any Shore girl about these things, she will affirm them.

1. You wave at everybody.

You wave at neighbors, dog walkers, people you think you know, the farmers and anyone who waves at you. You just do. Generally, the Shore is filled with friendly people, and everywhere I drive I am always waving.

2. You can’t get enough of the water.

You love playing in the water, sailing on the water, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and playing on whatever is floating. I keep an extra bathing suit in my car so that I’m ready for that “want to go sailing?” text. And you know you have that favorite story, too, of kayaking late or getting lost.

3. You have at least one article of clothing heralding Maryland or its flag.

Were we always obsessed with the Maryland flag? Not really. It is kind of a newer thing. For people that don’t know, our flag is a beautiful, obnoxious, four-quartered flag with two parts black and yellow checkered and two parts red and white. It really is quite something. Can you make a flag design into socks? Yup, you bet. Should we put it on a shirt? Of course. How about shorts? No problem. And stickers? Yup, that would look great. And it really does. It displays our Maryland pride, and it feels awesome to be wearing the coolest flag out there.

4. You know that “the bridge” is the Bay Bridge.

Everyone knows. You don't have to ask. There are a million of bridges on the Shore, but the one we all call the bridge is the Bay Bridge. It marks leaving, but it also marks the great coming home from a long drive. It has always been a symbol of your home, and if you are like me, you open your windows as soon as you cross the bridge to let the air in. If you are from the shore, you probably have a favorite story when you finally reached the bridge and got home: stories of sunsets, moon rises and crazy traffic jams.

5. You love crabs.

Crab cakes. Picking crabs. Crab stickers. Crabbers crackers. Crap dip. Old Bay. Something with crab in it? You are bound to like it.