Here I am sitting on St. Pete’s beach, Florida. Americas tropical state and Emerald Coast. I swam in the murky green waters for about an hour while my husband fished. Typical Saturday activity for Floridians. Although I’m not a native Floridian. I’m a southern girl. And no, Florida is not the south. It’s a very beautiful and interesting state, but lacks that ole southern charm. I almost choked when someone said they could tell I was from “up north” by my accent. South Carolina is far from “up north”. But I guess it is directionally north of Florida…everything is. Being a Southerner is more than hot long humid days and sandy beaches. It’s a state of mind. It’s a state of being. As someone who has lived many places in the US and some very vastly diverse places such as Oregon, Colorado, Missouri, Washington, South Carolina and now Florida, I can truly say that Southern is a personality type. I moved to Florida because white sandy beaches, palm trees and year long summer called my name. I couldn’t wait to make Florida my forever home. But having sat here on the Gulf coast now for about 5 months I still find myself longing for “The South”. To me the south is a slow state of mind…sweet tea and grits. Neighbors who help each other out and even bring you food (weather or not you need it). It’s long summer days on the eclectic little island beaches and churches every quarter mile. In the south we respect our elders and our parents. We acknowledge those with seniority with Sir or Ma’am. Children play outside barefoot and the sun sets a little slower. That’s what the south is to me, everyone isn’t just out for themselves and when one falls the community steps in to help them back up. Strangers open the doors for elderly people and women. Children serve and don’t expect to be served. It may not seem as progressive but true southerners understand the meaning of life. It’s not about just making that buck but about family, community and Jesus. Southerners have true grit where it counts and love is more than a four letter word. If only all of the world could take notes from the south. It might be a little better here in this place we call Earth. There’s more to life that what you can take for yourself.