I'd like to think no, but last week on my annual family vacation, I definitely felt a change.
Every summer since I've turned a month old, my mom and dad have taken my brother and me to a small beach town called York, Maine. This vacation was a dream world as a kid, it was what I would count down to all year long and it truly has been a sanctuary for me and my family. Now, York is pretty small and our beach house sits on Short Sands Beach and is about a two-minute walk to the downtown area which is where you'll find, all the ice cream a kid could dream of, candy stores, cool little shops, and an old amusement park/ zoo. It easily became my favorite place in the whole world and nothing truly has ever topped the feelings this place gives me.
But this year, on my 22nd trip, I felt old as f*ck.
The environment is so family and kid friendly that I used to run around these streets adventuring all week long, going on rides until I puked, eating way too much candy, and always on the lookout for cute boys. But, now I wondered if I was out of place. Even though I still loved being there, for the first time I didn't get butterflies in my stomach when we entered the town, and I didn't feel starstruck by it all.
I figured it was just because I'm used to it. (but again, OLD.) The amusement park didn't call my name anymore, and I found my days to be opposite of what they used to be. Instead of a fun-filled jammed day, with non-stop excitement and being catered to by my parents, it became more about the relaxation.
Waking up, making myself breakfast, going for a run along the oceanfront, stopping in town for a cold brew, napping and reading on the beach and ending the day with lobster, LOTS of wine and sitting on the porch with my parents was my whole week.
Now, if you're reading this thinking that all sounds dreamy and ideal, you're absolutely right, it was perfect. But my 11-year-old self definitely is pointing and laughing at how lame I've become.
Though it was a great time and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way, as I sat on the beach on our last day I felt like I watched 22 summers flash before me and I couldn't help but get emotional at how much has changed and how my wants, needs, and desires for vacations have done a 360. Now, I think my vacationing style is plenty appropriate for my age, I finally felt like my inner child had outgrown the vacation and was finally one of the adults with a saved seat at the adult table.
I thinking this is all okay though, the getting old part. And, even if I'm too old for what felt right all of the other summers before, today I think outgrowing York is impossible, and I think I'll always find a way to hold onto my families vacations.
