As the famous country singer Tim McGraw put it, "Ain't nothin' in the whole wide world like a Southern girl." Our pearls always match our monogram, we never forget to say "please" and "thank you", and the sunny weather down South can't hold a candle to our even brighter personalities. Here are a few reasons to thank your lucky stars that you were raised in the South (and if you weren't, well, bless your heart…)
1. If it's not moving, we monogram it.
From purses to notebooks to backpacks to sweaters, and everything in between, if we own it, we'll find a way to slap our initials on it in the form of a monogram.
2. The only thing sweeter than our manners is our tea.
In our neck of the woods, unsweet tea is unheard of. And we always like it iced.
3. Pearls go with any outfit.
In the South, pearls aren't just reserved for senior yearbook pictures. If you want to wear a strand of pearls with your sweatshirt and jeans, we won't bat an eye.
4. Macaroni and cheese is a vegetable.
Macaroni and cheese is the epitome of Southern comfort food. It's so essential that we list it under the vegetable section under most of our menus. And trust me, this is not Kraft we're dealing with here.
5. Everything is better when it's fried.
As much as we may not like to admit it, everything tastes better when it's fried. Down home country-cooking thrives on the idea that a little (or a lot) of grease is good for the soul.
6. The higher the hair, the closer to Jesus.
Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's an hour of conditioning and teasing, topped off with half a can of hairspray. Either way, nothing beats freshly styled hair, especially with a few curls thrown in.
7. Around here, something is always being blessed.
Whether it's the food on the table or someone's heart, a Southern girl always knows to bless it.
8. Sunday mornings are for church with the family.
Sure, it was always a struggle to climb out of your burrito of blankets every Sunday morning and try to look presentable, but you have to admit that the time that you spent with your family holds memories that you'll cherish for the rest of your life.
9. Dresses are appropriate for any occasion.
Yes, we want to look cute, but we also don't want to deal with wearing pants. Ever.
10. A Southern gentleman is any belle's dream.
That Southern drawl… Those manners… That effortless style… *swoon*
11. We're always prim and proper… Until college football season rolls around.
You'll never see a Southern girl lose her cool…unless her favorite team is down by 10 points with only seconds left in the game.
12. Handwritten letters will never go out of style.
Noah wrote Allie 365 letters, so I think that you can write me one. Or at least text me back…
13. Whether it's our fashion statements or our smiles, brighter is always better.
Most Southern ladies are walking advertisements for Lilly Pulitzer, which takes the cake for the brightest fashions. As Lilly herself once said, "Everything is better with sunshine and a little pink."
14. Even if we're not into country music, we'd still shake it for Luke Bryan.
Let's be honest, shaking it for Luke Bryan is our cardio.
Whether you were born and bred in the South or are only passing through for a short time, you know that you'll always carry a piece of it in your heart and that you'll always have a place to call home. You know what they say: You can take the girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl.