Y'all... I'm dead serious. There is nowhere like the freaking south. I've struggled for a long time to understand why exactly I can't seem to leave, and within the last couple of months, I've finally recognized that...

Only in the south... Does every food on your plate appear to be the same color...mostly because all of it is fried or slathered in gravy.

Only in the south...Does your finest camo suffice for a night out with your girlfriend. You can add a neon orange accessory if you're feeling a little saucy.

Only in the south...Would you meet a girl named Chantille at the BP station who's getting off at midnight. She's had a really rough day, but she's making it. She lives in the suburbs down the street, and she's in need of a good time with some new girlfriends, so anytime you're back in town she'd love to see you.

Only in the south...Would you talk to Becky at the Taco Bell drive-thru. She's been pulling 12-hour shifts to pay off her wedding dress. But she can't wear her ring to work cause she's been working the food line most days, and the ring is too pretty to get meat grease on it.

Only in the south...Would Mr. Jim stop you at the shell station while your pumpin' gas only to ask what part of Miss'ippi you're from cause he once served on base in Biloxi, and he feels like he's kin to you now so he gives you the one dollar bill in his wallet cause "that's what kin does."

Only in the south...Do you meet Eleanor from your mama's hometown in Miss'ippi all the way in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Come to find out Miss Eleanor was best friends and sorority sisters with your aunt throughout college, and she gave you her phone number cause you're both from the good ole Delta of Miss'ippi. She wants to make sure you're treated right in the mountains.

Only in the south...Would you see people order iced sweet tea and add two (or more) packs of sugar to it, because that's how we roll.

Only in the south...Would a young gentleman stand at a door to hold it open even if you're about 50 feet away, because chivalry isn't degrading, it's a still sign of respect here.

Only in the south...Would Miss Martha Sue stop you at a different Shell station to ask you if you were still in college. After she found out you both shared a 'gap year from college' in common, she gave you a $100 bill and said, "Even if people don't believe in the lord, they deserve to be blessed. But you do believe in the lord, so I'm blessing you with what I have to offer."

Only in the south... Would you pull over for a flat tire and have an upwards of at least 4 people stop to make sure you were okay. We've all been there, and we've all needed that helping hand....or 12.

Only in the south... Would you see an immense amount of compassion, hospitality and empathy, but enough humbleness to admit we aren't perfect.

I know there are beautiful places all over this world, and I know beautiful people come from all over. But there will never be more pride in my heart than the pride I have for how I was raised and, most importantly, where I was raised. I was meant to be....only in the south.

And if you haven't experienced the south....bless your heart.