Dear Summer Crew,

It has been 15 years since that first summer together. Since that first day on the beach. Running into the water without a care in the world with you all by my side is something I still remember whenever I go to the beach. I look around our little shore town and now I see younger kids doing exactly what we did. Looking at them, I think back to how young and stupid we were, but in the most wonderful way. How we had that one spot that was ours. How we would get kicked out and find a spot on the beach and stay there for hours.

So many firsts were with you. Those summers are burned into my memory, but what I remember most is how you all became family. You became my brothers and sisters. The people I could turn to in times of need. Even when we were apart, you were right there. I lived for the days during the school year when we would get together. Seeing you outside of the heat of the sun was just as fun as those days by the pool.

As we grew up, life changed. We all couldn't be at the shore at the same time. Those days by the beach had a few holes in them and the nights were still fun, but not the same. Trying to have get-togethers became harder with people in different places for college, but we always made sure to be there for the important moments, for the moments that we needed each other.

Now we are all in different places but the promise of me being there for you hasn't changed. We might be getting older and going towards different things in our life, but family is family and you always make time for them. You don't need to talk to someone or see someone all the time to know that they are there for you. You all taught me that.

I just wanted to say thank you for being part of my family. For filling my summers with memories and for making this little shore town feel like home. You are forever a part of my heart.

All my love.