And So Summer Begins

Memorial Day. The official start to summer in my mind. At least back in the day before kids and their school schedules dictating the most beloved of seasons.

Back in the summer of 1993 my roommates and I piled into the car in CT. We drove through holiday traffic to Newport, RI to move into what would be our weekend retreat that summer. A beautiful Victorian right off of Thames Street - right in the mix of things. The house was in serious disrepair but had the bones of a grand home of yesteryear. We were minutes to the beach, downtown and of course the bar scene.

Did I mention there were seventeen of us "young professionals" (read underpaid lackeys) sharing this house for the summer. We'd sleep 5 or 6 to a room because everyone always had friends over. I think the bathrooms were cleaned like twice and the floors were always either sandy or sticky.

Nights were very uncomfortable especially if you got stuck on one of the blow up mattresses on the third floor. Plus no air conditioning meant that you'd lay sweltering in the dark waiting for the oscillating fan to toss a breeze or two your way.

Morning would bring an exodus from the house as we went in search of coffee and breakfast. Then off to the beach to fry in the sun and catch up on our zzz's. Back to the house for a crazed shower schedule. High math was required to follow the thing. Then a BBQ in the backyard and off to dance the night away with friends. Possibly imbibe a little too much.

One or more of the guys would inevitably bring back some clueless girl and beyond all reason sleep with her in a house filled to the brim with bodies. Those poor girls. Talk about a walk of shame. Before they even hit the street full of strangers - in that little black dress that looked so cute last night and so slutty this morning - they'd have to walk through all of us roommates. And we were awful. Superior looks from us girls and knowing smiles from the guys.

On Sunday there'd be brunch at Castle Hill and the dreaded commute back to CT. Only to do it all over again the following weekend. That summer we lived for Fridays like never before.

I can still hear the music and giggles as we four roommates made our way to RI that first Memorial Day weekend. God what a great summer! Fun, laughter, friends, sun, sand, and a feeling of great things to come.

This Memorial Day weekend we will spend two days cheering our brains out for Molly in a soccer tournament. Go to a BBQ with friends and spend some time at my parent's lake.

The packaging may be different from my crazy Memorial Day weekend of 1993 but the ingredients remain the same:

Fun, laughter, friends, sun, sand, and a feeling of great things to come!