My memories of long summers spent at our family’s bungalow on the West End of Long Beach, NY are some of my happiest. So much of what defines my tastes, personality, and hobbies were embedded during those carefree seasons on Vermont Street!

Foundations

As third-generation Long Beach kids, we were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of our grandparents’ planning. In the 40’s, a group of friends and families all bought small homes within a block or two of each other. Nearly eighty years later the group, now exponentially larger, is still one big family. The friendships fostered with by biological cousins and my adopted Long Beach kin are to this day my most prized relations.

Our childhood summers were like something out of a movie. Lazy days at the beach, afternoon bike rides to the boardwalk, evening jaunts up the block for ice cream, and block parties that didn’t end until dawn. We could hear the Atlantic waves crashing from the sandy sheets of bedrooms, and on some nights the planes from JFK would fly so low over the house the glasses would shake.

We learned to play Scrabble on our mother’s laps beachside. We painted shells and sold them to neighbors, put on shows to finance our Bazooka gum habits, and mastered using our outdoor showers in the rain. We promised to stay friends until we were old enough to go to the beach at night by ourselves.

Most of us had our first crushes (and heartbreaks) within a three-block radius (mine is still a dear, dear friend). As teens, our favorite nights were late in summer when we’d watch 80’s horror movies with the late summer winds howling through the open doors. We were allowed to go to the beach after dark and it was our favorite place to escape. None of us ever wanted September to come but I think my goodbyes were the hardest. I wasn’t just going back to my regular home 30 minutes away–we lived in Florida during the school year. Those last few nights were often tearful and somber, but we promised to stay friends until we were old enough to not have any parental rules.

This Weekend back in the West End

My younger brother and sister and I came back to the beach to attend our cousin’s wedding this weekend. My first stop upon arrival was at Jordan Lobster Farms for a lobster roll, drinks, and goodies for the house to kick off the weekend.

I sat on the deck of our dear friend’s beach house in the shade, breathed in the salty, briny air, and could feel the stress and cares of daily life blowing away. The contentment flows from someplace deeply rooted in the love that is synonymous with this place in my heart. I learned about independence, trust, forgiveness, and friendship here. There isn’t a positive emotion I feel as an adult that doesn’t originate in some productive from my childhood here.

In our 20’s we promised to keep in touch as we all started our own lives. In our 30’s we promised to give our kids the exposures to the wonders of Long Beach like we had. In our 40’s we’re promising not to let too much time pass before we make time for each other one-on-one again. We kept our promises then, and we still do to this day.

I’m flying home with a tidal wave of happy memories, both old and new, and a little extra sand to throw in my sheets for the next time I’m missing everyone.  Until then, Long Beach family, I love you all!