Linnea calls me a “country boy.” I don’t know how accurate that is because I spent most of my life growing up in suburban Atlanta, and I can tell you that my definition of a “country boy” is slightly different than hers. When I hear the term, I think of Confederate flags, muddy pickup trucks, and a superior knowledge of bass fishing and deer hunting. I’ve never gone hunting. I drive an SUV and the flag on it has all fifty stars.
Nevertheless, I have always called the South my home and my life has taken me from one end of it to the other. I have seldom ever left. My only foray north of the Mason-Dixon Line was a year ago to attend a friend’s wedding in Rhode Island. My journeys west have only been brief ski trips or family vacations to the Grand Canyon. In contrast, I was born in Baton Rouge, and currently reside in Charlotte, North Carolina. My life has taken me from the backcountry bayous of Louisiana to the Commonwealth of Virginia. From the coastal marshlands of Charleston and Savannah to the pine-covered peaks of the Appalachians. Towns like Athens, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, New Orleans, Durham, and Chattanooga have all seen me navigate their streets at some point or another.
Maybe this is why Linnea calls me a “country boy,” and it has been an honor to be her concierge to the South.
For those who are unaware, Linnea is from Ft. Myers, Florida. Anyone familiar with the cultural distinctions which separate the otherwise nearby state from the rest of the American Southeast know that they can be very different places. Because of this, it was only natural for her to experience some adjusting when she decided to pursue her graduate studies at the University of Georgia. It didn’t take long to feel right at home.
It is safe to say that Linnea not only fell in love with me, but also with Southern culture. She has told me before that she was a Georgia girl living in Florida. Every little thing that I had taken for granted was a new and exciting experience for her and she drank in every drop like ice cold sweet tea. Cuisine like crawfish etoufee, fried chicken, pulled pork, and peach cobbler tantalized her taste buds. The abundance of country music satisfied her fondness for fiddles, steel guitars, and harmonicas. She was completely taken in by the wide variety of flowers, trees, and other foliage which blanket the Georgia piedmont.
But it was not just the sights, sounds and smells of the region which captured Linnea’s heart. The spirit of the South embodied everything which she had always valued. A strong emphasis on family and friends, vibrant Christian values, and the hospitality of the people all left an indelible mark on her.
Some of my favorite memories have been playing escort on Linnea’s extended tour of Georgia. I remember taking her to her first corn maze. Being her official date to UGA football games. Introducing her to southern barbeque. Kayaking with her down the Broad River. Countless others abound, and every single one of them has been, not only a step further into the South for Linnea, but a step further towards each other as we fell in love.
Needless to say, the beauty of the South has played a large role in our relationship, and it will fittingly play a role on our wedding day. With displays of dogwood blossoms, and a lunch featuring dishes such as shrimp and grits, beef brisket, and baked green beans, we hope to ensure that everyone can experience the phenomenon which helped bring us together. It is difficult to put into words exactly what the phenomenon means for any given person, because it is a personal connection to the land and culture that makes it special. It’s just a Southern thing.
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