I grew up on the beautiful island of Anna Maria. I spent so many weekends, summers, and holidays in this place. I have made countless memories, made many friends, and celebrated many milestones at my beach house in Anna Maria. Just recently I went back. I have not been back for a while, but I decided to go with one of my friends who I have known for a while. It is always easier to go with someone else, and she understands a lot of what I am going through so it makes it a lot easier. I remember when we first drove onto the island, and I saw the Publix, and CVS there. We always went grocery shopping after church, and that memory is clear as day.

It is funny the types of tiny details you can remember after years have gone by. We continued to drive to the beach access and passed by all the restaurants, skatepark, baseball field, and tennis courts. A lot of the time on the weekend we would go there to get some fresh air and play around a little. I remember when I was younger I was always afraid to play baseball because I didn't want to get hit, but I always ended up playing anyway. For lunch, we went to a local taco place that we used to go to a lot on our way out of town. It is just a little tiny place, but the food is good, and all the memories I have in there are better.

It felt weird to be back on Anna Maria, just because it has been a long time, but also because everything is different now. My life has changed so much since I was little, and even more so with my dad not being here. I kept thinking while I was there, "I wonder what it would be, like, if we still had our house and he was still here..." I guess I will never know.