All my life, I have grown up in the Great Mitten State. I have seen the beautiful Great Lakes, traveled to the U.P., snowboarded in Boyne Mountain, been to numerous festivals that are geared only toward Michigan, and experienced all four seasons. Yet, I can’t wait till the day I can move out of state.

Call me crazy? Maybe, but all my life I have seen and experienced what this state has to offer, I have seen the beautiful, colorful falls, bitter-cold, two-day stranded-in-your-house winter storms, the hot 90+ degree summers, and the perfect in-between springs. After going through all of this, I still never felt at home. I never felt like this was the place for me to live out the rest of my 80 years, a place where I could see myself settling down and raising a family. Even though my family and friends are here, I still know that the Great Mitten State isn’t for the chick.

One thing that isn’t keeping me here are those harsh, bitter-cold winters—now I am not a winter person at all. I tried it once a few times, and every time I try to be that “snow bunny,” I always come back thinking to myself why am I wearing five layers of clothing and still freezing? This is one of the reasons why I know Michigan isn’t the place for me for the rest of my life. So what am I going to do?

My plan, after I graduate, is to move. I will make an adventure of a lifetime. I’ll pack up all my things and my dog in my little Mazda and head south. All my life I have dreamed about living somewhere in the Southeast. I’ve dreamed about living in those old, historical towns filled with more history than I can even wrap my mind around. Towns that have the brick roads and the classic old-time buildings; where everyone is dressed in their Sunday best, and the manners are still there. Where it is warm all year long. Now this is where I see myself having a family and being truly happy.

Don’t get me wrong or anything, Michigan is a great state—a state filled with so much to offer. I mean, no other state is shaped as a mitten—let’s be real now. And no other state has four lakes surrounding it. Michigan has so many unique characteristics that not many other states can come close to. Even when it comes down to it, I know what is in my heart, and it’s not to live here for the rest of my life. Sure, I’ll be back to visit in the summer and fall. But it’s never been home. It has been a place for me to grow and bide my time till I can start my own life and plant my own roots to allow them to grow somewhere else. Michigan will always be my first home, deep in my heart, but it will never be my forever home.