A Southerner in the Midwest: Winter Edition

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My family has officially been in St. Louis for five months! Both my husband and I are from the deep south and some days it feels like we are in a whole new world.  It’s amazing how heading north just a few states can really make a difference in environment.  Over the last five months, I’ve come to find some notable differences between our old states and our new state.  Yet, it wasn’t until our first “real” snow fall that I’ve really noticed stark changes.  Here they are:

Staying Dressed

So, growing up I used to watch “winter” episodes of shows or movies and wonder why they stayed dress in their “outside” clothes all day. Take off your scarf or sweater, y’all. Are you not sweating?

Now, I understand it. We still have our sweaters and some days I keep my scarf on. I refuse to turn our heater above 66 during the day or 68 at night and this all makes sense now. 

Snow Showers Look Like Hallmark Scenes

Seriously, y’all, these snow showers that come after the meteorologist calls for “a few flurries” are gorgeous and always give me the perfect social media post. I don’t get how anyone can get tired of it.  

P.S. Don’t tell me I will.  I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.

Tell me that my girl doesn’t look like a model during our first snow fall in St. Louis.

Craft Fairs are Major Deals

I’ve never seen so many Facebook events for crafts fairs! After the first few posts, I realized it was something I should check out.  Y’all do NOT play when it comes to raising funds for your marching bands or schools.  I love it.  There are so many talented artisans in this area!

Cancelling School Activities Due to Weather

Living in the south, it wouldn’t be crazy to cancel school if the weather dropped to freezing primarily because of black ice and most of our states’ Departments of Transportation don’t have the trucks needed to prep roads for winter weather.  Send us a category 4 hurricane and most residents can survive for weeks if their homes weren’t completely damaged. Ice? Not so much.  

Snow days are definitely better than hurricane days.

People Like Saying “This isn’t anything” When Referring to the Cold

I get it.  I do.  You don’t need to keep laughing and telling me that this cold isn’t as frigid as it could be in January and December.  Do you see me telling you that your summer heat isn’t bad? Seriously, I lived where 88 degrees and 75% humidity was considered a break when temperatures regularly soared to 97 and 90% humidity.  I don’t laugh at you for sweating, so don’t laugh at me for bundling up at 45 degrees and calling it cold. But, I will say that 40 does feel warm compared to days in the low 30s.

But, Midwest Winters are Special

We’ve never had a white Christmas (and we know we still may not have one), but so far this winter has been magical. It snows and it’s beautiful. The temperature falls and we start our fireplace. We venture out to see Santa and I believe in his magic again. It may be a lot different here than in the south, but it’s a different well worth it.