The many reasons to love Michigan dwarf our state's minor dislikes and small irritations in my way of thinking. Michigan offers much that we easily take for granted. Instead of trying to cover the many positive traits of this Great Lake State, I'll give you four of the best reasons I proudly call Michigan my home:

Buckingham Palace with their "Changing of the Guard" has nothing on Michigan's "Changing of the Seasons". Four times per year we enjoy that sense of anticipation that something's in the air. Embracing our dynamic climate shifts lets each of us change our own daily tempo. Weather's never boring or placid in Michigan, and this variability allows us to test our limits and sense of adventure.

What would a trip to the Cider Mill be without being able to see your breath on a fall morning? Michigan's fall season's crispness must be experienced to be enjoyed. Our family hosted an exchange student from Costa Rica who had never seen such a distinction in seasonality. Where else can you create a backyard skating rink in January on the same backyard the slip n slide covered in July?

Just enough people fill Michigan to make it interesting, yet not too many that it becomes choked on its own population. For those of us fortunate to travel to the likes of Chicagoland or Southern California, the effects of an over-burdened infrastructure soon become frustrating at best. While traffic on certain stretches of highway (say I-275 for example) can challenge our patience, Michigan has none of the perpetual gridlock that affects larger urban centers.

Yet we do have enough population (the eighth most populous state) to attract a wide range of cultural events: the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Freedom Festival, the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, the Holland Tulip Festival, and many more. Michiganders throughout the state support not only the arts, but four major league teams. I've attended Tiger games with folks from White Hall, Calumet, and Cheboygan sitting in our section

Michigan cities hang those on the east coast, yet our wide open spaces provide plenty of room for everyone's dream spread.

Friendly people with a solid Midwestern work ethic make Michigan a great place to raise a family or start a business. Folks motivated enough to shovel themselves out early in the morning to get to work on time form the backbone of a dedicated workforce. These same folks go the extra mile to dig out neighbors who need a helping hand. In fact, I personally have never shoveled by sidewalks because two doors down the guy who works the early shift, fires up his turbo-charged snow blower and cleans the whole block.

This work ethic showcases itself in offices and stores throughout the state. How many times have you dealt with a call center based in Michigan? When you are lucky enough to have that experience, likely you'll remember it fondly. How would you rate the service personnel in this state compared to other states? Again, I travel extensively and give me a Michigan restaurant staffer any day of the week!

Michigan's public schools offer unsurpassed educational excellence. At  the elementary, middle school, and high school levels our local school district's dedicated teachers have helped my children prepare for college. This preparation has allowed one son to attend the University of Michigan and another daughter has recently been accepted. Again, my business travel gives me insight into public education in other states. I consider my family fortunate to receive quality public education in a diverse urban school district.

Michigan's institutions of higher learning attract scholars from all over the globe. Everyone in the state can be proud of the colleges and universities that prepare our sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren for the future work places.

The educational traditions of this state are intricately woven into the fabric of my family. Our family remains committed to this state and our futures remain closely tied.

I can't think of a better situation to be in today.