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I've seen most of the United States. I could pack a suitcase in less than 20 minutes and be ready to go. I literally had a set of clothes that went right back into my suitcase after I washed them, because what was the point of unpacking when you take 2-4 flights a week? But even with all of that travel, there's one place I didn't spend much time in: the Mid-West. And boy has it been an adjustment.
Venture out in to the suburbs of Indianapolis and you find yourself immersed in people politely debating who can hold the door open for each other. Or sending friendly waves as they pass each other on neighborhood streets. It's almost like Canada snuck down here and implanted a friendly neighbor guideline to everyone, or maybe they all just really loved Mr. Rogers. Who knows. But wherever you go, you'll always be greeted with a smile.
Oddly, they are all chill with the same outfit: functional shoes or boots, a t-shirt, a loose plaid flannel, and a good worn in pair of jeans. I'm not sure if it's to be prepared for a pop-up tornado (that's a thing guys) or to let them easily transition from the farm back into the cute lil suburban houses (that's also a thing) but everything they do just makes sense. No fluff or drama about it.
Having grown up in the suburbs and countryside of Upstate New York, I can't really say I was raised in a city. But my entire adult life has been spent in NYC, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Chicago. It's just a different vibe. Whereas I'm the one rolling down my window when the car in front of me doesn't use their blinker, everyone else just stares at me like a crazy person. What happened to good old verbal motivation?! Drive better I tell you! (Literally.) I also don't think I've ever heard someone use a car horn in Indiana. Do they not come standard?
Food is always a tough subject for me - anyone that has lived in New York City knows that your standards are ruined after that. Where else can you grab a coffee from a barista with the best handlebar mustache you've ever seen, pickup an order of authentic Ramen to go, hop on the subway and stop in a bodega to grab some snacks? No where else. Well I can't say Indiana is crushing the cuisine game with their layers of cheese and ranch, but they are leading the charge in some otherways.
We haven't had the opportunity to attend the infamous Indiana State Fair, but trust me, Grace puts on her Leslie Knope blazer and tells me about every detail probably once a month. Pork tenderloins the size of a car tire. So big that I wouldn't even know how to eat one. Fried oreos and sticks of butter to munch on as side snacks. Corn dogs. Buffalo chicken mac and cheese grilled cheese. Yeah, read that one again. And lastly, the most hotly debated thing between Grace and I: "elephant ears."
What was that? Did you say Elephant ears? Don't you mean fried dough? Yes, that's what regular people call it. These strangers here refer to them as elephant ears which makes zero sense. I mean look at the top questions on Google! It's a plant, guys!
Grace is the pinnacle country girl. I remember one of the first times I was booking a restaurant for date, I got the "wait, does this place have tablecloths? I don't eat at places like that." H'oh boy - I had gotten myself into trouble.
To kick things off, let's address the fact that I've never shot a gun. That wasn't a thing back home in New York! Our family didn't hunt, we got to play laser tag and sometimes shoot pellet guns when Mom wasn't looking, but lets not bring that back up.
Grace's facial expression adequately represents the one she made when I told her this. Or that we didn't have 4-wheelers to tear up the roads with. She grew up with "The Farm." This wasn't a catchy name for a summer cabin out in the woods, this was acres and acres of working farm land that they used to visit on the regular. Big family trips to camp, hunt and make best friends with the live stock.
Ugh, and that brings us all to her obsession with cows. I'm dreading the day when she asks to get a house farther out in the country so we can start getting "pets." Putting the flag in the ground now acknowledging that at some point we are going to have a zoo. Goats, ducks, cows, chickens, alpacas...the lot.
One day I'll get the phone call: "Babe! I found an old zoo at auction! We can move in next week!" I'm no Tiger King, but if that's the road we're headed down, I best lean into it. Jasper will love it at least, that dude is always looking for more friends.
All kidding aside, I can promise we will have the cutest country house at some point. If Chip and Joanna can do it, I bet Grace and I can do it. Just as long as Grace pays attention to the many projects we start, and doesn't get caught up saying hi to all of our "pets" every morning and telling them goodnight.
We are set up for success though. Grace loves vintage furniture, I love clean and modern materials. She loves knick-knacks and cute decor, I like empty counter tops and tables. Totally a match made up for a reality TV Show.
We're a ways out from our dream country home, so for now, just know that if you're looking for a part of the country that will welcome you with open arms, Indiana and the Mid-West ain't so bad.
