Winter is coming... or if you're in Minnesota, winter is already here. As a Minnesota native, I have a love/hate relationship with the winter season. While snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing are a great way to pass the time on weekends in the winter, the weather presents a new problem for us to deal with. Here is a list of nine things all Minnesotans experience during the winter, as told by Buddy the Elf.
1. "It's starting to get a tad chilly outside, eh?"
I usually wait until it hits single-digit temperatures before I drag my winter clothes out of the storage room. You never know if it will be a short winter that will only last through March, or if the school will be delayed due to a snowstorm in May—it's always a guessing game, and the main reason Minnesotans take Groundhog Day so seriously. Get ready for sub-zero wind chills and weather that always makes Minnesotans question why we choose to live here.
2. The sheer excitement when Caribou switches to their holiday drink menu.
All Minnesotans have a bias to love Caribou more than Starbucks. When Caribou reveals their holiday menu, the weather is likely already chilly and a hot coffee in the morning seems much more appealing. The Fa La Latte is my personal favorite. Gear up for the day, and stay awake for it.
3. How it feels when Wisconsin fans visit for the Badgers vs. Gophers game in November.
Every other Thanksgiving weekend, Badger and Gopher football fans gather in TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota to watch the Battle of the Axe. As a Gopher, this is what I imagine doing to all of the fans walking around in red and white Wisconsin gear prior to, and after the game. I'm convinced Minnesotans have a natural-born hatred for all things Wisconsin-related. We'll attack with what we do best: snowball fights.
4. Tater tot hotdish. Enough said.
Cold weather means crockpot and hotdish season in Minnesota. Notice how in Minnesota, we say "hotdish," not "casserole." I'm always surprised at all of my out-of-state friends who have never experienced the deliciousness of tater tot hotdish, but it's a must-have winter meal.
5. The feeling of having an iPhone during a Minnesota winter.
You'll know exactly what I'm talking about if you're an iPhone user from Minnesota. It's as if after walking outside in the winter, your battery percentage drops from 80% to 30% within a matter of minutes. These phones were not made to withstand these temperatures and keeping a charger handy at all times is essential.
6. Thinking about driving after a snowstorm.
Borrowing a reindeer might actually be easier than driving after a snowstorm. Between your car being covered in a foot of snow, your car doors being frozen shut, and so much snow on the road that you can't even see the lanes, you might just have to ask Santa to borrow a reindeer after a snowstorm to arrive to class or work on time. Otherwise, in my hometown, people sometimes use snowmobiles or other unconventional forms of transportation to travel during this weather.
7. Having access to a radio station that plays Christmas music starting in November.
During the beginning of November, the radio station 107.9 KQQL starts playing round-the-clock Christmas music until the December 25th. If you're looking to spread the Christmas cheer to all of your Grinch-like friends, turn on KQQL and sing loud for all to hear.
8. Taking a road trip to Bentleyville in Duluth, Minnesota.
Bentleyville in Duluth, MN is already open for the season. With a beautiful walk-through area of Christmas decorations and lights, it's likely you and your family have taken a road trip to the shores of Lake Superior at least once throughout your life.
9. Finding all of the hot-spots for cute Christmas pictures.
The giant Christmas trees at the Mall of America or the Wells Fargo Winter Skate rink are two perfect spots for a cute holiday Instagram posts. Take your sweetheart on a date to Mall of America and people-watch all of the crazy Christmas shoppers, or find the one day out of the entire month of December where it's bearable to be outside for more than an hour and bring them ice skating. Whatever the date or location, I'm sure a photo for Instagram will be taken and captioned with either "all I want for Christmas is you," or "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal."
Happy Holidays Minnesotans! Beware of the icy roads, subzero temperatures, and an everlasting winter. I know the season may seem unbearable, but remember Minnesota is the happiest place in the United States.
