Dear Elli,
On Sunday, I am going to Oklahoma. I go every year for business travel. And while I'm working, I'm also having a freaking blast!
Being from Ohio, most of us here don't frequent Oklahoma. It's probably not a vacation destination for most. And I bet people from Oklahoma would say the same thing about Ohio.
Regardless, you MUST visit Oklahoma at some point in your life. Period. That is an order. Not negotiable.
I must admit that I was a little apprehensive before my first trip. I wasn't sure what to expect. I had visions of tornadoes and tumbleweeds blowing down the street. With people on horseback. Wearing cowboy hats. And a gun on each hip. And I was certain that some guy was going to quick-draw his revolver and shoot my pen out of my hand from across the table if I pissed him off in a meeting.
I'm joking. Kind of. I really just didn't know what to expect. Because nobody I know had ever been to Oklahoma.
But the place is totally freaking awesome! Everyone is great in Oklahoma. They're nice. And they really mean it! And they hug you. Everyone hugs in Oklahoma! Big bear hugs. Not the "lean forward and awkwardly embrace while we pat backs a couple times and then step away quickly with relief because it's over" kind of hugs that people from Ohio and everywhere else in the top half of the eastern US do.
In fact, I have to watch myself when I get home. I forget that hugging people is weird in Ohio. And I have to make sure I don't hug my coworkers upon my return. Because they might call security and have me escorted from the building.
And in addition to the people, Oklahoma City is a great city. Clean and well maintained. Not too big. Tons of stuff to do. Lots of business. And it houses one of the greatest museums I've ever experienced. The museum and Memorial dedicated to the Oklahoma City bombing is one of the most special places I've ever visited. And everyone in the US should go there. It's amazing. And if you're human, you will cry. Consider that your fair warning.
And football. College football is more important than religion. In fact, I think it is a religion. If college games were played on Sunday, Oklahoma would not have a single church. For real. And you either have to love OU or OSU. You cannot like them both. I think there is a state law against it.
For the record, I've decided on OU. Because my two favorite people in Oklahoma went there and I'd rather them not drop me off in the middle of nowhere so the tornadoes and gun toting cowboys can get me. So I LOVE OU! Even though I have no earthly idea what a "Sooner" is. But I also could not tell you what a "Brown" is, and I've been a Cleveland fan my entire life.
So I'm going to end my rambling endorsement of Oklahoma now. And the tourism bureau did not pay me to write this. I just want you to go there. And see what it's like. Because you'll be shocked. That there are places that still exist where EVERYONE is nice. Genuinely nice.
I love you. And I love Oklahoma!
Mom
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