my parents recently sold my childhood home and getting to spend this last summer in michigan has been so nostalgic and special. when i tell people i grew up in michigan and follow it with “on the beach,” people typically get confused. but there’s a special sliver of the year where all my memories involve being on the water, a car full of sand, bonfires, Sluggo’s pizza, sunroof open, aux cranked, jumping off the pier, seeing who can get who to fall off the wave runner first and stealing away for some nighttime dips. when i left DC for this stopover in MI i felt somewhat like a stranger passing through, but now i just feel so much gratitude for this place that raised me. i might not be able to go back home again, but i’ll always hold these moments close and feel most at peace when there’s wind in my hair and water around me. 🌊