Peacefulness. That is how I feel as my family and friends gather around the warmth of the campfire. Looking around, I see the faces of the people who are the most important in my life. No one talks but it is a comfortable silence. Suddenly, something crashes in the background and everyone jumps. We all look at each other and laugh at how we are all such scaredy cats. 

Some of the parents bring out graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey’s chocolate bars and instantly we are surrounded by little kids. They scamper around the fire looking for a place to roast their marshmallows. Before long, we older kids join in, not wanting to miss the decadent taste of the gooey sandwiches. Someone leaves a marshmallow over the fire for too long and it is soon engulfed in flames. The smell of burnt marshmallow blends in with the natural smell of the pine trees, and it is at this moment that I realize I am in my favorite place. Everyone has come together underneath the looming trees and a darkened sky glittering with an inexhaustible amount of stars. After a full day of swimming, bicycling, and playing volleyball, eating S’mores around a toasty campfire gives us a chance to relax and just enjoy spending time with each other.

Once the excitement brought by the S’mores dies down, we all return to our seats around the fire. Another silence occurs, only being disrupted by the crackling of the glowing flames in front of us. I wish I could capture this moment and just place it in a bottle to preserve it for forever. My world revolves around my family and friends and being surrounded by them is what makes me truly happy.

Some adults retire to their tents, bringing with them their drowsy kids, tired from a day of nonstop playing. One of the men brings out a guitar and the adults and grandparents gather around the fire ready to sing their favorite tunes. That is the cue for us teenagers to move to another place and build our own mini campfire. Sitting together in the dark brings us closer as crack up while sharing stories and teasing each other. The sound of the adults having a joyful time and bursting into laughter brings smiles of amusement to our faces, and we chuckle at their silliness. We all stay up for as long as we can, not wanting this moment to end. However, soon enough, our eyelids begin to involuntarily close and we head to our tents, ready to rest and recover our energy for another day of entertainment and festivity.