Here’s the reality: Lake houses are a top destination over the summer, especially for us from the Midwest. They are a ton of fun but everyone competes, claiming theirs is the best. Here are 10 reasons why yours is the best.

1. It’s right on the water (obviously). You have easy access to go swimming or boating or whatever it is you enjoy in your time off. You can be out by the water at any time of the day (until it’s too buggy, the bats came out, or it’s pouring). There are so many water activities! You can dabble in swimming, floating, reading with a floatie, boating (jetski, motor boat, pontune boat, sailboat, etc.), rope swinging, playing chicken, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, diving and jumping, playing king of the raft, and so much more! That’s what a lake house is for!

2. It’s a great workout. Whether you swim, motorboat, water ski, kayak, hike, or play in the sand at your lake house, you’re guaranteed to get a great workout. You work muscles that don’t get worked by the tedious daily activities at home—and you can have fun doing it! Say goodbye to the gym, hello to lake life.

3. It’s relaxing. Whether your lake allows motorboats, is populated by little kids, or is a lonely lake, water is a calming force. Water relaxes your nerves and helps you find your “pause” button. Water is the primary substance of everything in the world—always around and surrounding us. Accessible. Studies show that our cognitive and emotional interactions with water cause us to love it and draw us in.

4. It’s guaranteed to have the best food. There’s just something special about eating the food at the lake. There’s always something different than what you eat at home: whether it’s freshly picked blueberries, beautifully ripe corn, cinnamon apple cider donuts you can only get after church, or a good old vacation fluffernutter sandwich (peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich—if you haven’t tried it, you’re seriously missing out). You look forward to eating that one or those few foods that are specific to your location, and it never disappoints.

5. It’s even fun at night or on rainy days. Honestly, that’s when you have the most fun. Card games, ghost in the graveyard and sardines, kick the can, star-tipping, skinny dipping, bonfires and s’mores, stargazing (best on a boat in the middle of the lake), and all-nighters with lake friends complete the lake house experience. Man those nights really crush the bucket. Rainy day? Who cares! Stay inside—pop in a movie, play some cards or dice—board games if you please. You still get the same good food with the same awesome people!

6. It’s a break from normal life. Face it, summer sounds great, but after a while you get into that July lull and wish you had a change in pace. Lake houses break the summer lull of work or hanging with friends. It’s the escape you need.

7. It’s all about who you bring along. Whether your lake house is primarily for family members or you take friends there, there’s something special about being with them in that environment. Being around them, able to relax, reading on towels on the beach, swimming or playing king of the raft, or taking a boat out together, bonds you together in experiences that others may not experience together.

8. It’s about the people you see there. Everyone is always so nice! There’s always that one family with people near your age that is vacationing at the same time as you (who you’re welcome to wake up to go swimming at anytime). Or that family on their deck that you always drive the boat past and wave to. Or that old couple that visits your grandparents and you’re not quite sure how they’re related to you. Or those cute boys you meet while on a kayak across the lake. Those are the people who make the memories even more special, and seeing them once a year is barely enough.

9. It’s your favorite place in the world. Most people return to their lake house destination many times. One visit is just not enough. You may visit your friend’s once or twice, but it’s never the same. There is something special about the time at your lake—your favorite place in the world.

10. It’s yours. Now I realize that some of these reasons apply to many lake houses, but singularly yours is the best. Your family and the people you are there with will unconditionally agree, and you could try to argue with your friends to prove it. In the end, however, the reason it is the best is because you visit it and feel like it is your experience. Whether you share it with others or keep it to yourself, your lake house is the best because it’s yours and you get to visit and experience it.