Growing up in the Old North State that is North Carolina, you blindly take things for granted. You don't realize how special it is to the see the stars clearly every night, even in the city, they never fail. You don't understand the beauty of having small-town charm but still only living 45 minutes away from the big city. North Carolina has many perks, but these are just the top 11.

1. Growing up with the beauty of the Outer Banks.

Y'all for crying out loud, we have wild horses. Also not to mention, Nicholas Sparks has filmed majority of his movies out in the Outer Banks. Does 'Nights in Rodanthe' ring a bell?

2. Also growing up with the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Not only do we have the Great Smokey Mountains but North Carolina is also home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Black Mountains and last but not least the Appalachian Mountains

3. The rivalries that come with being a Duke, Carolina or an NC State Fan.

You either bleed Carolina Blue, Duke Blue or State Red. We take these rivalries so seriously we have house divided flags staked in front yard.

4. Bojangles!

I don't think I have to say much else.

5. We have all four seasons.

There is nothing more beautifully than taking a drive through North Carolina and seeing how nature is slowly changing it's all colors and it never fails.

6. North Carolina is First in Flight.

In 1903 the Wright Brothers were the first ones to take off in a plane in good ole' Kitty Hawk.

7. The Biltmore.

The Biltmore Estate is a magical place that gives North Carolina a regal feel. Nothing beats the beautifully decorated Biltmore during Christmastime.

8. Blackbeard.

No, he isn't just a character from a movie — the legend of Blackbeard is very true and near and dear to us Carolina folk.

9. Southern Hospitality.

North Carolina is just far enough down south to make it home to southern hospitality. You answer '"yes ma'am" and "no ma'am" and you always hold open the door. You say grace and bless people's hearts

10. North Carolina Sunsets.

A sunset in North Carolina means the end of a very long day of farming, working in the Research Triangle, or sitting on the porch. When the sun goes down and the stars come up, a long sigh is released from every person in the good state of North Carolina.

Growing up in North Carolina was an absolute privilege. Nothing will ever compare to riding down back roads with the windows down taking in a fresh breath of air and smiling because you realize how incredibly lucky you are to live in the Old North State.