Mandy Hanson

God bless Southerners. This pic was taken at the Iron Bowl last night, and I woke up today with some strong feelings about what I’ve experienced in the South. First, I’m a NY kid, born and raised, but I’ve spent most of my adult life far south of NY. Between Georgia, Maryland, Florida and Alabama, we’ve been around. And I’ve really grown attached to Southerners, and here’s why (note: I obviously haven’t met every person from the South, this is MY EXPERIENCE): -God matters. Their faith is central to their lives, and they’re proud of it. Nothing comes before God. Nothing. -Manners and structure matter. They’re not vestigial structures from a bygone era. They’re links to the past, and bridges to the future that instill order and discipline in a chaotic world. -They’re proud, but not arrogant. I once offered to buy a friend of a friend a pair of new boots because his were beat up, and he flatly refused to take the offer. I saw it in his eyes and I instantly regretted it. I knew I had misjudged the situation, and although my intentions were pure, I was angry at myself for not reading the room better. -They absolutely love college football. But the love is pure, not contaminated. I sat with 80,000 plus people in Auburn watching a game that had zero chance of the home team producing a championship. I watched them scream, I watched them hug their wives and kids with a joy I’ve never seen before as each insane play of an amazing game unfolded. I also watched them cry at an ending they didn’t expect. And, despite the ending, I watched them treat the Roll Tide fans with absolute respect on the way out. No fights. No evil. Just a pure, innocent, love of the game. I often joke on my podcast and radio show how I’d like you all (y’all?) to adopt me, but I’m happy just being an observer. To the people I have met down South, thank you for so deeply enriching my life. And to those I haven’t, God bless y’all. 🇺🇸 – at Auburn, AL