All Summer Long!

I had made a goal some months ago that this summer would be amazing.

I am 29 years old. This summer (2010) marks my last as a "twentysomething." I wanted it to be memorable. I wanted to do things, meet people, go places and live life. Ladies and gents, I have done just that!

This summer has been the best of my life! It began a bit early, with a phone call from a friend that I had to come meet "the female you." I was intrigued, but not overly so. I had just spent a long day running around to various sites for stories and I was VERY tired. The last thing that I wanted to do was go traipsing out to one of my least favorite bars to meet a girl, especially since I was convinced that I would not be staying here in TC for very long. But, I went anyway. I am SO glad I did!

Thus began my first, and most amazing, adventure of the summer. Now, some 5 months later, I am completely in love with my soul mate. I will marry this girl, soon.

My next adventure was tailor made for me. Chicago.

When Lisa and I first met, she mentioned that in 2 months she would be going to Chicago to get a sweet tattoo. As we hung out more and more and our feelings grew at lightening speed, it became evident that she wanted me to tag along on this trip of her's to my FAVORITE city of all time. She invited me and I, obviously, said yes.

It was the most amazing few days that I have ever spent in that city. We ate great food, we drank great alcohol and beer, we wandered endlessly and I told her I loved her at the top of the Navy Pier Ferris wheel. It was the first time in my life that I ever felt the presence of true magic. We had it.

My next adventure was meeting her kids. 2 of them, 3 and 6 years old. Since that day, the time spent with them has been amazing. They are beautiful children with awesome personalities and a hunger for life I can only hope that I still possess!

Many trips to many beaches followed. Lisa and I attended plays, movies, we ate great food, we experienced this state and this region in a way that I have never been able to before. With the kids we explored the water and sand. We played all over the place, took bike rides, rode carni clunkers and ate more great food.

Then there was Key West. The ultimate end of summer trip! We have just returned from that trip, Lisa and I. It was amazing, it was fun, it was raw, energetic and it cemented our partnership forever. It was the perfect close to a perfect summer, just what I had hoped for.

From Chicago to Key West, we did it all. We exhausted our bank accounts numerous times, we were tipsy, we discovered THE BOOT, we played with fire and we were NOT burned.

I knew that this summer was going to hold something amazing for me. I never knew that the most "amazing" part of this summer would be that my lifetime with Lisa would begin.

I have done it all, it seems, this summer. And folks, the adventure has just begun. Fall is our most favorite season, road trips will abound! Winter holds my most favorite holiday. Who knows where we will end up or what we will do.

What has your summer been like? This is your last summer as a "whatever" year old, you realize that, yeah? If you have done nothing but "responsible" things, go have some fun. Responsibility is far over rated! It is necessary at times, yes, but it CAN NOT dominate your world!

When your last breath approaches, what will you look back upon and see? Starting right now, come with me, let us GUARANTEE that our remembrances will not be of hopes, dreams or opportunities missed, but of roads travelled and goals accomplished. Let our memories be of kisses in the rain, laughter at 3AM, major gasoline charges on credit cards (for road trippin'), points earned and used. Let our memories be of life, not of the lack thereof. We are here, each of us, to live, breathe and experience. This planet is so very small and our time is so very short. You can go anywhere and do anything. Get out there and play.