Long Beach Island, New Jersey. A vacation spot for many, but a home to those blessed enough to live here. Us locals take pride in this island and appreciate just how fortunate we are to call this lovely piece of land ours. Not only do we love LBI in the middle of sweaty July, but in the freezing, snowy winters of December as well. Here are 10 ways you know you’re a true LBI local.

1. We go to the beach, not down the shore.

2. You know exactly when to head to the beach to avoid hours worth of traffic – thank you, shoobies

3. You sprint to the water when you see beach badge checkers heading your way

4. You already know what you’re eating for dinner every Wednesday night of summer: Chegg wing night. Not to mention you downloaded the NoWait app on your phone specifically to beat this line

5. You make sure your summer job is on the island because traffic isn’t the only thing those bennies bring us ($$)

6. You can tell who’s not a local based off what they wear/ bring to the beach – or just look for the group of people happily feeding the seagulls

7. Never ending construction on the bridge, but you’re used to it

8. You have your go-to street – going to any other street just feels wrong

9. You beat seasonal depression with a drive to the lighthouse during the winter months because it’s cheaper than therapy with a similar outcome

10. You love it equally during the winter as you do during the summer – yellow blinking traffic lights, snow-covered dunes and no New Yorkers

The best time of the year, summertime on Long Beach Island, is approaching so quickly that I can almost feel my feet burning on the hot sand. But until then, I’ll be daydreaming of the days filled with endless sunshine, saltwater and 2:00 a.m. Chegg runs. I am forever grateful for you, LBI.