When I was younger, I used to swim all the time. Ever since I got lessons since I was a kid, you would always find me in the pool when warm weather came around. Swimming became therapeutic and it became a way that I figured things out in my life while still getting exercise. I guess it's kind of fitting that I'm a Pisces then (it's two fishes). Here are some things that you know to be true if you grew up swimming.

1. Chlorine smells great.

I don't know if this is just me being weird, but every summer I look forward to the smell of chlorine. It brings me peace and it is right up there with freshly mowed grass and the smell of rain.

2. You end up getting tanned or getting burned.

There is no in between. I have gotten countless amounts of sunburns going to the pool but my sunburns always turn into tans so I guess its worth it in the end.

3. It shocks you when people don't know how to swim

It is seriously amazing to me that there are some people on this earth that don't know how to swim. This is probably just because I knew how to swim since I was a little kid and it became such a huge part of my life.

4. Swimming becomes your place of Zen.

I love just being able to get away from other people for a little bit. There's nobody trying to get your attention or talk to you about something it is just you and your thoughts - nothing is more peaceful.

5. Summer is your favorite season.

You can swim as much as you want in the summer! Yes, there are indoor pools but it is more satisfying when it is an outdoor pool with some of your close friends.

6. Going to the pool means something different to you than other people.

Other people see going to the pool as something relaxing and where they won't really do much besides maybe play a couple rounds of Marco Polo and swim around for a little bit. To me, when I go to the pool I have every intention of swimming laps.

here are so many different things that I loved about swimming. I loved the way it made me feel, I loved the connections that I built because of it, and I loved having something that helped me think clearly. Even though I am not a swimmer anymore, I will always be at heart.