Shore Love

Dear High School Sweetheart,

It’s been years since we last spoke, but I wanted to mail you this letter. I’ve been seeing you on and off Facebook and a lot of memories are flooding back.

Do you remember the summer of 2006? You and I spent together at the Jersey Shore. It was after a long and stressful sophomore year of high school and your parents invited me to come down to their beach house in Seaside Heights. You were so ecstatic because this was going to be our first time actually doing something fun since you were so busy during the year with baseball. This was one of the best times in my life. I felt like there was no pressure in the world for us and we were completely free. We had zero worries and the summer was ours. The Jersey Shore was our kingdom and we ruled like the kings we were. The Funtown Pier was our little home away from home, and it still makes me sad today that it’s all gone because of Hurricane Sandy.

Back then, we didn’t need cell phones or iPods; we had so much fun on those carnival rides. You always liked the more daring and higher rides, while I liked the rides that were firmly on the ground like the Musik Express. I always felt some kind of protection from you and you always made me feel safe. When I got sick, you laughed at me and bought me some funnel cake. (I was obsessed with funnel cake and Seaside Heights has the best dessert in town.) You always bought yourself fried Oreos. I remember saying to you, “Love, why do you eat this? It’s so gross!” and your response: “Because anything fried is amazing! Broaden your mind, Cher!” (You and I were addicted to the movie Clueless and you always said I reminded you of Cher.)

Do you ever think about those times? You’ve moved on since 2006 and have had a few relationships. I always think about you and hope you found happiness. Have you been down the shore ever since? I know Hurricane Sandy went through there like Godzilla and destroyed so many awesome places but the memories still lay there in the sands of the beaches. You and I walked along that Seaside Heights boardwalk for hours and never got bored. We were so passionate about that Casino Arcade, because back at home we didn’t have arcades to play our favorite video games. Even though you never liked taking pictures, I always persuaded you to take a photo-booth pic — they were important to me and you knew it.

Do you remember all the conversations we had on the beach? When the sun was going down and the air was crisp, this was our favorite time. After a long, enjoyable day, we would relax with our blankets and cups of coffee and just talk about our aspirations. You would always make me laugh and bring out the best in me.

Another fond memory was the Sky Ride … so peaceful above the boardwalk, just gliding across everything and daydreaming. We would sneak a kiss way above the clouds and pretend, Aladdin and Jasmine on a magic carpet ride.

I apologize for the nostalgia, but I miss those times. It’s been years since we spoke and I know things didn’t end so well. Maybe life got the best of us. I look back every so often and think of that summer with you. I will never forget those times and how they made me feel alive; the times of spontaneity, and being free. I miss that.

Wishing you well,
Cher