Missouri will always be home. Things change and jobs or other opportunities may take you elsewhere, but not a day goes by that you can’t remember why you love where you’re from so much. Here are just a few things that people tend to miss.
1. Our undying love for our sports teams.
Most of the people from Missouri are from Missouri. It's because the whole country isn't aware of our awesomeness just yet, so we don't have as many people moving in as New York, L.A. and Chicago. That being said, our fans tend to be way more loyal to the home teams since they're lifelong fans. And our home teams return the favor by bringing us championships.
2. Summers in the Ozarks.
Technically, the Ozarks spread throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. But for Missourians, we refer to Ozarks as a southern portion of the state where we go to boat and relax at Lake of the Ozarks or Table Rock Lake.
3. The best frozen custard in the state.
I remember driving through St. Louis with family during road trips and always making a stop at Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard. It was delicious then, and it's still delicious today.
4. Those river views.
Can we swim in the Missouri River? No. But do we still love it? Absolutely. We'll bike along it, camp along it and even dine along it if there's a riverfront restaurant around.
5. And yes, even the cornfield.
I know we tend to tease our state for the miles and miles of cornfields we drive through on major state roads, but there's something comforting and nostalgic about them.
6. Kansas City-style barbecue. Obviously.
Basically anywhere you go, you'll find some type of BBQ food. But none of them make it quite as good as Kansas City.
7. Having four seasons. Yes, all four seasons.
We wake up early to shovel our driveways in the winter and drive through torrential downpours in the spring and summer. But all of those seasonal struggles, make us appreciate our good weather days even more. Plus, you have to admit, snow covered trees that line the roads can be pretty beautiful.
8. Our two beloved big cities.
They may not be as gigantic as Chicago or New York, but it's pretty cool to say that Missouri is home to two major cities, both unique in their own way. Whether you're a St. Louis Cardinals fan or a Kansas City Royals fan, in the end, we all root for one amazing state.
9. A carefree float trip.
Summers in Missouri get hot. A very humid, and sticky hot. The answer to this predicament is a float trip on one our beautiful rivers. But, don't forget to pack a cooler with the snacks and beer!
10. Low cost of living.
When I hear how much my friends have to pay to rent or own a home in California, my jaw drops. If there's one economical thing to miss about Missouri, it's our relatively low cost of living and housing costs.
11. Your local main street.
Sure, we have our fair share of strip malls and state highways, but tucked away in most of our small towns you'll find adorable main streets filled with local shops. And who can forget the first store you shopped at as a kid when you walked into town?
12. Our starry night skies.
With so much open space, it's easy to get a gorgeous view of the stars above us. This photo was taken at the Marble Creek Recreation Area in Mark Twain National Forest. And it's simply stunning.
13. The people.
We're giving, we're kind, we're artistic, we're passionate...and we have a pretty amazing sense of humor. You won't find a better bunch of people to surround yourselves with than here. Welcome to Missouri, drop your egos at the door.
What would you miss the most if you left Missouri? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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