Trucks. Tailgating. Flannels. Country music. Country Guys. Mudding. Shooting guns. Camouflage. None of these were part of my vocabulary almost 7 years ago. I'm not much a judgmental person, but I'd judge the group of guys at my high school who used to speed out of the high school parking lot making a lot of noise. I just didn't think they were all that cool and the fact that they were doing what they were doing was to be cool. I also was not the rustic type of girl, and had an unusual amount of clothes with glitter on them. I also had a lack of self-esteem.

Fast forward 7 years to where I am now, a soon to be junior in college. Who for the past two years have been dating a guy who is into all the above; trucks, tailgating, flannels, camouflage, mudding, and country music. At first, it took some getting used too, but now, I love it. I've been in my fair share of trucks now when my boyfriend and I hang out with his friends and don't mind the loud exhausts. Every Sunday, I go to the local Sportsman's Club to go shooting with my boyfriend and his grandfather. Shooting a gun was never something I wanted to do, but it is so much fun and I enjoy the time I spend at the club. I finally feel alive and am enjoying my life.

In the past two years I have changed. I may not be driving a huge diesel truck, but my car is decked out Browning accessories. While in the car, I blast all the country songs that come on the radio and sing my heart away. Camouflage and plaids have replaced most (not all) the glitter in my closet. I feel more comfortable in my new "skin" and have a better self-esteem because of it. I have to thank my boyfriend for bringing out the adventurous sides of me and helping me change into someone that I enjoy being.