I recently took an impromptu trip to Houston, Texas, to accompany my mom on a work trip (PSA: I totally advocate taking random road trips when you get the chance by the way, yes even possibly at the expense of missing some school. Just be smart about it, and be wiling to take the consequences). And while I've always considered myself a country girl at heart, Texas only made me fall more in love with being a country girl: the music, the fashion, and especially those handsome cowboys. Yet, upon coming back to my Hoosier home, my countrified style and preferences for some reason seems to get some negative responses from some of these northern boys. And I know I get tired of explaining myself and my attraction to the country culture... especially cowboys. So, here it is! For all my country girls out there, tired of being called po'dunk, white trash wannabes, here is my list of why we love all that is southern!
My girls and I on our spring break trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
1. The music
Now, I (like anyone) went through my heavy rap phase — especially in high school. I liked the fast beats and catchy rhymes (yeah, totally realizing how basic white girl I sound when trying to describe rap), and I still do listen to rap. But, when given the choice of going to a club or a country dance hall, I choose the dance hall every time. Why? The music.
Old time country music told stories. It wrapped you in with its relatable topics of love, loss, and the joy of a drink after a long day's work. It's real, truthful, and super romantic! Today's music is just the same. I mean just look up Kip More's "Hey Pretty Girl," OK? Then you'll get it. Or pretty much any Chris Young song. Plus the music allows us girls to line dance, which if you haven't done, is super super fun and flirty without having to break your spine attempting to twerk. Which Leads me to...
2. The Dances
How cute is this?
Precious right? When I was in Houston, all the dances that I knew as single line dances were partner dances. And it was incredible! The guys spun their gals around with ease and the girls were having a blast because you could tell they felt special. I mean uh-hum, literally a country version of "The Cinderella Story" happening on the dance floor, and you have found yourself one handsome cowboy version of Chad Michael Murray. Yes please. Even the guys were smiling. They were enjoying dancing. What? That's possible? Yes, yes it is.
Some girls want the Cinderella ball, waltzing in love. And us country girls, we want our hero, lover, and friend to two step with us in his best boots — because best be damn sure we're gonna be wearing ours.
3. The Fashion
Country fashion is unique in that it accents womanhood while allowing you to be able to move and to be comfortable. Wait, what? Sundresses, plaid shirts, those incredibly comfy boots. Yeah, it's true; the clothes are cute, classy, comfortable, and timeless. These clothes seem more genuine; these are the clothes we wear to boot scoot, roll around in the grass, or to sit around a bonfire enjoying the company of your buddies — and yet it's something you could definitely wear in front of your grandma. So girls, embrace those curves! That's what makes you a woman. But that's without exploiting your goods entirely.
Yup, that's one of my best friends — isn't she gorgeous? But, what I love most is that you can tell in her smile she feels she looks beautiful. And that's the real goal isn't it?
4. The Charming Accent
Don't mock us. Yes, we know how to speak proper English when needed. But, we also enjoy speaking more casually in comfortable settings. So yes y'all, you bet we like to use our little charming twang. And I mean come on ladies, a handsome man comes up and speaks to you with respect, and he's got that accent...mmmhmmm! My heart melts like butter. So, just because we say y'all doesn't mean we're uneducated. It means we feel comfortable enough around you to speak to you casually, as a friend. It's a compliment, y'all!
5. The Men
Oh, you knew it was coming! A country man doesn't mean he has to work in the field, or serve our country, or even wear the hats. To be a country man is to have a sense of honor and a good work ethic. They work for what they want. They realize the worth of a hard day's work. And in today's world these men shine in comparison to the bountiful amounts of "man boys." Plus, country men put time into what they value most: their family, friends, the people they love, and their faith. What's not to love? And I must admit, the manly man whose still waters run deep, is a country girl's weakness.
6. We're Patriotic
Yeah, we may call it 'Murica sometimes, but that doesn't mean our patriotism is in anyway abbreviated. We're proud of those that serve, we love our freedom, and we definitely sport that red, white, and blue (even when it's not the 4th)! Doesn't mean we agree with everything the government does (oh hell no), but we are entirely grateful for our American privilege. We probably have friends and family that have served, so we are touched by the price of our freedom.
We're not asking for y'all to agree with us. We're asking you to respect what we stand for, even if you don't understand us. Maybe you'll finally stop asking us why we're country and proud, and maybe even consider yourself just a little bit country too.
