But with Montana, it is love...

"Three friends married women from different parts of the country. 

The first man married a woman from California. He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.

The second man married a woman from New Jersey. He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done, and there was a huge dinner on the table.

The third man married a girl from Montana. He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything, but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye. And his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher. He still has some difficulty when he pees. "

They say, "You don't mess with Texas." But I've got news for you Texas - 

you've got NOTHING on Montana ;)  

For some people, where they're from isn't a part of who they are... I've met Washingtonians who could care less about being from the Emerald City and Floridians with no special connection to oranges.  Yes, New Yorkers love their Big Apple and if you diss the Red Sox in Boston, BEWARE.  But being a native (or token native) Montanan means something special.  Montanans have a unity that goes beyond values and livestock.  Montanans share a connection with each other and the natural world around them that is binding.  

In studying political science, one of the most significant areas of work is determining what it is it that motivates people to form groups.  Especially in the America of today where patriotism is too meek to compete with individualism to inspire national unity, figuring out what it is that triggers people's "Come Together" impulse is more open to doubt than ever before.  Some say it's race.  Others say religion.  Still others cite sexual orientation, age, gender, financial interests, etc..  But I believe what makes MT unique is that, despite differing lifestyles, political opinions, and religious preferences, Montanans share their surroundings!  Montanans are unified but a foundational sense of place wonderfully described in the preamble of the State Constitution...

"We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations..."

Montanans are visually reminded every day of the annoying amount of snow awesomeness of where we live.  And whether you're a fan or not, one can't help but participate in the communal realities of Montana's environment.  This is what I believe unifies Montanans, what brings us together: a unique, strong, mutual experience of place Montanans can't help but share.

God Bless Montana!  And bless all those lucky enough to call this great State home :)