11 Life Lessons You Learn Growing Up In West Virginia

We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to say that we are born and raised West Virginians. This Mountain State always has been and always will be our home. And we’re not alone - folks love it here. Many have this same privilege, growing up in West Virginia, learning about the world, all while living in "Almost Heaven." So the following are just a few of the wonderful life lessons you learn when you’re lucky enough to be living in West Virginia. These are just some of the best things about WV that we have learned from our time in this wonderful state!

1) That family is important.

Family is #1 to me. Growing up in WV, we are taught to respect, protect, and love our family.

2) Pinto beans and cornbread are a staple.

The scent of pinto beans and cornbread takes me back to my grandmother's house when all of the neighborhood kids would be outside playing together, and we would hear our names being called and we all ran home because we knew it was dinner time. No one was ever disappointed to see beans and cornbread on the table.

3) That you can do anything that you put your mind to.

Pictured above is the famous Bridge Day that happens every fall in WV, occurring on the New River Gorge Bridge. The bridge is the third-highest vehicular bridge in America! You certainly won't run into me there.

4) To appreciate our coal miners.

We have a long and proud past as a coal mining state, and it's an incredibly demanding, dangerous, and harrowing job. We have so much respect for our coal miners, past and present!

5) What a real hot dog has on it!

Here in West Virginia, we love our food! And we take our hot dogs seriously. Coleslaw and sauce, please! (Or chili, it just depends on where you are.)

6) To appreciate the natural beauty of this Earth.

West Virginia is easily one of the most stunning places in the world!

7) Pepperoni Rolls are a fantastic lunch!

Growing up in West Virginia, pepperoni roll day at school is everyone's favorite day!

8) How to drive!

While this one may be debatable, you have to admit that West Virginia roads are crap! You may be a die-hard West Virginia fan but dodging these potholes becomes a skill that you really wish you didn't have to have.

9) To love bluegrass music!

My dad taught me to love and know bluegrass music, he always had a fiddle with him and he always knew songs that would make me smile. Bluegrass music is a big deal in this state! Pictured above is the West Virginia bluegrass band, Hominy Falls, featuring my Dad!

10) Blue & Gold or Green & White: Pick a side!

A lot of people actually love both!

11) That these mountains will always be home.

If you are a West Virginian you will agree, these beautiful mountains have always been home; our parent's home and our grandparent's home. We've been here for many generations and we are here to stay!

While some of these things are true for all of us in this big wide world, some are uniquely West Virginian. What are some important life lessons you’ve learned living in West Virginia? Share a few things you love about your life in West Virginia!

One of the greatest things about living in West Virginia is our appreciation for history. We have a past we are proud of, full of hardworking, humble people and downright trailblazers. Are you looking to brush up on your Mountain State trivia? Here are 15 historical facts about West Virginia you really ought to know!