To my beloved OCNJ,

Ever since I was a child, you have always been my home away from home, my escape and my happy place. Summer after summer I await through the long winter months to return to you and your hot summer sun. Every year I eagerly look forward to the time I will spend, the memories I will make and the ever so famous beach food I will eat and probably regret later on.

After a year filled with school assignments, cold snow storms and ghostly pale skin, I have arrived at my happy place. Now that I am here it is time for me to make you some promises Ocean City. This summer I promise to cherish the time we have together. I promise to wake up early and not let the time we have pass us by. I promise to eat as much Manco and Manco pizza as I possibly can. I promise to walk the boardwalk and I promise to play as much haunted mini golf as I can, go on the rides as much as I can and not spend all my money at the 7th street surf shop. I promise to run on the boardwalk (or try to) as much as I can so that I can feel good and look good. I promise to have endless nights with good friends and endless days with my family.

You give me so much to look forward to during the three short months that we spend together. Nothing beats fourth of July on the beach and of course Night-in-Venice on the bay. Nothing beats the sun-kissed skin I leave the summer with because of you. But most importantly, nothing beats the quality time spent with the people that mean the most to me. You give me freedom and a feeling that no place else on this planet will ever give me. When I am laying on your beaches, book in hand and toes in the sand, I am the happiest I can ever be. Nothing can ever beat what we have.

Ocean city, you allow me to be me and to forget about the stress of reality from the world on the other side of the bridge. The memories we have made together over the years will always be unforgettable. I look forward to most growing old and bringing my children back to you just as my parents did. Ocean City is home to the nicest people, the happiest of smiles and tannest of glowing skins, and no matter how old I get I will never forget that. Thank you Ocean City for everything you have ever done for me. I love you now and always.

Sincerely,

Your favorite summer lover