Maryland Girl

Yesterday you received a very special treat in the mail from your Aunt Shenanigans. 

I know what you are thinking- "Ewww Mom, really? I don't like Maryland."  Don't worry.  You get that yucky feeling honestly.  But hang with me- there's a lesson here, little girl.  I, too, once believed that the yankees from Maryland were horrible creatures.  When moving to Charleston for college, I felt like I was in a Marylander apocalypse as it seemed that everyone I met was from Maryland, and they weren't the friendliest of creatures.  In particular, it drove me crazy that none of the Maryland male species held the door for you when your arms were overflowing with who knows what, as you try to make it into your dorm.  In my defense, I had imagined that moving to Charleston would entail having southern gentlemen with delicious southern accents at my beck and call.  My dear, always set your standards high, but don't expect Rhett Butler.
Anywho, I found friendly creatures here in Charleston.  They were right under my nose and these ladies became my best friends.  One afternoon during our Freshman year we were driving out to Sullivan's Island and I was ranting about my distaste for the yankees from Maryland and their rude ways.  I said some really horrible things about the entire state- claiming that my Mason-Dixon line cut them out of the south because of their lack of manners; and I am pretty sure I even said, "I just hate all people from Maryland." 
My new friend, Shannon, sat quietly in the back seat.  I really liked Shannon.  We had just recently met, but we had the same circle of friends and we were both in the same sorority.  She seemed to never meet a stranger.  I turned around in the car and asked Shannon where she grew up.  "Baltimore," she said.  I felt the pit of my stomach fall and it wasn't because of your Aunt B's driving this time.  "Oh yeah," I said, "Like in Maryland?"  With a big smile on her face Shannon responded with a simple, "Yep."  I wanted to melt into the seat and disappear.  I had spent all that time riding down Coleman Boulevard complaining about the terrible manners of Marylanders; and low and behold, I was the one with the bad manners.
I'm here to tell you, I was wrong about Maryland.  They aren't all bad.  Your Aunt Shenanigans is one of the greatest friends I made in Charleston.  She is one of those people who are truly beautiful- inside and out.  Together we have shared some real sadness, some extraordinary happiness, and plenty of explosive laughter.  I am so lucky that she didn't hold my ignorance against me that day.  Instead she proved to me that I should never judge someone before knowing them.  A valuable lesson that I believe helped me find my way and appreciate each of my quirky, kind, and perfectly genuine friends.
So, baby girl, don't ever judge a book by its cover.  You could really be missing out on some amazing experiences and lasting friendships- especially those that come out of Maryland.