My mother-in-law fell in love with me before my wife did. I met them on the same day almost 42 years ago, through mutual family friends. They are from California and, for those of you that don’t know me, I am from Arkansas. We met in my small home town and I was put in charge of giving my future wife the grand tour of the town and entertaining her for their three-day visit.
The reason her mother fell in love with me was because of my “southern charm” that just came natural to me. I used sir and ma’am, held the door open for ladies, stood and offered my seat when my elders needed one, and spoke respectfully when spoken to. It wasn’t anything I had to force myself to do or work at. I didn’t even know until months later that I had left an impression on her. This is something all southerners were raised to do when I was growing up.
I recently had a conversation with one of our California friends, who is originally from New York, about this subject. She mentioned that it made her nervous on her first trip to Arkansas when everyone spoke to her and waved at her. She actually didn’t like it! I laughed so hard at this revelation and could not understand her perspective at all. But after living in California since 1992 and traveling the freeways all this time, the most common wave you get here is with one finger.
I have lost some of my southern accent from living away for so long, but it comes roaring back as soon as I step off the plane in Little Rock or talk with other southerners. I love our southern ways and I look forward to the kind nods, waves, and “howdys” as I pass by friends and strangers alike. Kindness is always a good thing to start with and, most likely, you’ll receive it in return. Pass it on! It’s the southern way.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT) - “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”