To My Fellow Beach Bums,

Thank you, for everything. Without you—my very best friends, my family, really—I wouldn't be the person I am today. I am so grateful to spend my summers at such an amazing place with even more amazing people.

Summer is great. Not only is it nice and warm outside and there is no stress from school, but I get to spend the four months in the place where I feel happiest and most at home. We seriously can walk to the beach whenever. Who could ask for anything more?

People just don't understand us sometimes. They don't understand what makes our beach so special. They don't get our little community of beach lovers that live for summertime. We live for long days on the beach and even longer nights, spending time with the best of friends.

There's a saying that goes, "The best memories are made at the beach," and I definitely think that is true. Being in my little beach town of Matunuck every summer has given me the best memories I could ask for. All of the scrapes and scars on my knees from having too much fun on my bike as a kid, and all of the sunburns from one too many carefree hours on the beach. Buying candy from the store every day and dancing the night away at every block dance. Waking up to an ocean breeze every morning and falling asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing along the shore.

I live for the long walks on the beach during the day and sitting on the benches, watching the stars at night. The days never end because the beach never ends. Summer days are like the tides as they roll in from dawn to dusk. Everything is better in the summer: Food tastes better, books are even more fun to read, everyone is happy, and the goodness never stops.

Although we wish every day could be summer, there is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing you get to go back to the beach. The winters are long, but what gets us through is that every cold winter morning means it is one day closer to heading to the beach. Without the harshness of New England winters, we wouldn't be able to fully appreciate a beautiful summer.

So I am ready to take on another summer of Matunuck waves, vanilla bean ice cream, Colvitto's pizza, and snack shack curly fries. I can't wait to make more memories with my favorite people in my favorite place. I am so thankful to be a part of our own little piece of heaven. I don't know where I would be without it. Thank you to my fellow Matunuck beach bums for helping and watching me grow. I could not survive without the beach or (more importantly) you guys.

Love,

Your Beach Bum