I never realized how lucky I was to live in a small coastal town until I left it. The cold winter months of Upstate New York are making me very nostalgic for a Long Island summer. Something that I've taken for granted one too many times. Growing up in my beautiful beachy town and then moving away made me realize we are luckier than most. Here are 10 signs how you know you grew up in a small coastal town.
1. The beach and summer are two of your favorite things.
2. Tourists on tourists.
There is one thing you hate about your beach town in the summer — tourists. They come from the city and they definitely bring their attitude. They crowd your favorite hometown spots, and you just can't take it. They refer to you as "locals," and you just can't help but want to forbid them from your town. They don't deserve to live in its beauty even if it's just for the weekend.
3. Come winter, there isn't much to do.
During the winter, your little town becomes sort of deserted with little to do. All of your favorite things have basically become frozen, but you don't mind waiting for them to thaw out.
4. Your town is most likely a little too small.
Your town sometimes become a little too small for your liking. Everyone knows everyone and all their business. Rumors in your high school spread like rapid fire, soon even the moms are talking about it. Sometimes you can't stand it, but eventually it just becomes second nature. You're not even surprised that the cop that busts that Friday night party turns out to be your friend's dad.
5. Bonfires are always the go to party.
The freezing cold never stopped you and all your friends from having a party on the weekend. Being from a coastal town, if no one were to offer their house, not to worry — just party on the beach! A bonfire will fix the cold in the winter and will make any party 10 times better in the summer. Granted the cops may bust it in 20 minutes, but they will sure be worth it. The smell of bonfire in your hair is one you'll never forget.
6. Some views from your town still take your breath away.
Your small beach town never ceases to amaze you with its beauty. When you see it you fall in love with your town all over again.
7. You know all the secret spots.
8. Everything seems very far from you.
Living in such an isolated place can come with its hassles. We are likely very from civilization and trapped in our own small town bubble. I mean going to the closest Applebee's for half apps takes you close to 20 minutes. Not to mention going to the city that is just whole different story.
9. You thought you couldn't wait to leave.
Toward the end of high school, you were so ready to pack your bags and never look back at your small and suffocating town. You were better than this small place; you were going to leave and never look back. You never thought you would miss it.
10. The homesickness is real.
Sometimes you miss your beach town more than you would like to admit. You miss everything about it: The views, the gossip, the food (OMG the food), the beaches, the secret spots — everything. You didn't realize what you had until you didn't have it anymore. Your small coastal town holds a very special place in your heart, and it will always be your home no matter where life takes you.
Growing up in my small coastal town is something I wouldn't trade for the world.
Also shoutout to my beautiful North Fork town for all the pretty pictures, I love you.
