I've Lived in Michigan For Almost 4 Years, And I Still Say 'Soda'

I've tried SO HARD, I really have. I just...I just can't do it.

This isn't the first time that I've moved to another state, but this IS the first time that I've tried to adopt the local dialect. Obviously, moving from Wisconsin to Michigan isn't like moving to Germany or anything, but there are things that I had to learn when I moved here.

My mom's family is from the northern suburbs of Chicago (Libertyville to be exact), and down there, they call it "pop," not soda. However, growing up in Milwaukee, we called it "soda." So, when we'd go to see my mom's family for Christmas, I'd always rip on my uncles when they'd ask me to go get them a "pop." I'd say, "No, I can't. But I can get you a SODA!"

We moved to Seattle in 2007, and there weren't any dialect issues, but I did find myself developing a Pacific Northwest accent (yes, there is one - it's different, but it's there). However, I lost it pretty quickly when we moved back to Wisconsin.

When we moved to Michigan in 2014, I had to learn a lot of things:

*what "the thumb" and "the mitt" meant;

*the difference between a "troll" and a "yooper"

*Faygo and Vernor's are the beverages of choice

*what a "coney" is

*the difference between a Detroit and a Flint coney

However, those were all "new" terms for me. I was NOT prepared, however, to call soda "pop." I had grown up calling it something else, but I was determined to be a true Michigander and call it "pop."

Here we are, four years later, and I've given it my best. Hell, even our SON, who was in 2nd grade when we moved here, calls it "pop." I tried. I really did. But I just can't do it.

I feel like I'm faking it. And I won't fake it. (Unless you ask Pat...HEY OH!)

I love living here. I love the people of Michigan. It's a mix of Midwest meets big city meets Canada meets wine country meets....well, I could go on forever. Regardless, please don't think less of me. I've given it my best.

And I just have to call it soda.