The first time I went to Florida I was about 4 years old
with bleach blonde, curly hair that went everywhere,
wondering how the ocean could be so huge.
As the waves continue to kiss the shoreline.
Building sand castles with my siblings, running into the salty water,
falling asleep under the umbrella, sweating in the heat.

Grabbing the boogie board
my brother, sister and I waited for the biggest wave we saw,
watching as the other surfers rode the wave all the way to the shore;
we wanted to be just like them.
With our boards attached to us, we flew off every single time.

The first time I went to Disney World I was about 6 years old,
It is definitely the happiest place in the world.
Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood studios.
Everywhere you looked were kids and families smiling and laughing.

Magic Kingdom was by far the most incredible one;
I was instantly happy seeing Cinderella’s magical castle
Walking around, meeting all the characters, getting their signatures to keep,
waiting in long lines for all the rides, sweating bullets.
Then immediately getting sick and dizzy right after.

The first time I went to my Aunt's lake house I was 14 years old,
Spending time with family was always a blast.
Jumping into the gross, dirty lake, tubing with my brother, pushing me off on turns,
catching little sunfish, swimming with their dog as she jumps into the water.

Water skiing is like you're running on water,
trying to get up from the water on the slippery skis, hoping you won’t fall again.
Feeling the wind, water splashing up into your face, thighs are burning from trying to stay up.
Just when you’ve had enough,
you let go as your face and body smack the water.
It’s the most thrilling time.

Just as we all get older, you realize those are only memories now;
the times you share with your siblings are the best times of your life.
When we all leave for college, those times together fade into the dark
like a raft floating away in the ocean.
You can only wish you were little again to relive the times you spent together as a family--
Don’t take the simple moments for granted.