Between the beach and the ocean, nothing is better than living by the sea. Some prefer land and love the greenery but there's something about the ocean that captures it all, the green and the blue. It's always a breathtaking sight. It's ever changing and forever one of the best reminders of how small you are in the world. Living next to something so majestic is amazing. The air blowing through your backyard on a hot summers day. Hearing the waves crash when driving by the beach. Smelling the salt and the seaweed as you leave footprints in the sand. Feeling the fresh cool water rushing against your skin. All your senses feel alive at the beach. From little quaint coastal towns to big and bustling oceanic cities nothing can compare to the life on the ocean. Here's to you big blue!

1. The smell of salty air

If I could bottle this up I would never be homesick, ever. The salty air even with a hint of stinky seaweed still beats any scent from Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works combined. Especially on a hot day, when the air breezes off the ocean. It instantly cools down everything and makes it so you feel like you're right there at the beach, sand between toes and everything.

2. The beach food

Even though the ocean is filled with salt, there is something about salty food on the beach. Or fresh juicy fruit like watermelon. The craving for salty and fresh food is uncanny. Little surf shacks have it all: fried food, fast food, seafood, salads, and lets not forget the ice cream. Everything tastes better on the beach.

3. The sand

Yes, some can argue that the sand is the worst part, but to other's it's the best. Different beaches have different types of sand. Some is grittier, some is finer, and some sand is more accurately called rock. Despite its sneaky nature to get everywhere, finding it in the car in the middle of winter brings nothing but sunshine-y memories.

4. Beach days

Nothing can outshine a beach day (pun intended). Getting up early to pack a picnic, lathering the sunscreen on heavily, and leaving early enough in hopes to beat the traffic is all part of the fun. Laying in the sun all day with the knowledge that if you get too hot, a simple dip will cure any heatstroke cures any and all fears of the sun.

5. The ocean

It's blue and green and turquoise and white. Every blue and green shade imaginable. White caps break the surface creating foam and fizz. The sound of the waves on the shore crash against the rocks. Reflecting the colors of the sky, it's beautiful.

6. Sunsets and sunrises

The sun breaking the horizon is one of the most breath taking sights to ever be seen. With pinks and purples, and oranges and yellows. They all meet and mix with the cool tones of the sea. The clouds drop down and form a haze that blends them together.

7. Late night star gazing

Going to the beach at night when the moon is out and laying down in the sand is an amazing feeling. Looking up and seeing nothing but sky, the stars are beautiful and all you can see is the night sky. All you can hear is the sound of the waves rolling over and over against the shore. The best late night existential talks happen here. These are the ones that matter.

The list goes on an on. Life on a beach is everything and then some. It's a must try for everyone, even if it's just for a short while. Plus, this is where the mermaids are.