You know something, Barrington really gets kind of a bad rap. When people ask where I’m from and I respond “Barrington,” I either get a nice eyer roll or a long “ohhhhhh okayyyyy.” It’s not like we have a type or anything. I mean, we all do different things over the summer right? Right? No? Okay. Let me know if you also do these sixteen things, then we Barrington natives might have a slight stereotype.
1. You’re planning on going to one of the numerous froyo places, all ironically named, at least once a week. Okay, maybe twice. Blue Cherry, where you at tho?
2. You posted a picture (or are going to post one) of Egg Harbor’s signature coffee cups on your Snap story so that everyone knows you’re home and like the same food they do.
3. You’ve been struggling to find parking because Shakou and all that stuff STOLE THE PARKING LOT.
4. You’re probably lifeguarding at one of the 230657 country clubs or park districts. And if you’re not, you know someone that is.
5. You’ve set up a day to take the train to Chicago so that you can take a picture in front of a colorful wall and claim you’re “home.” Because Barrington=Chicago, basically.
6. Tuesday night movies at Century Theaters in Deer Park are a weekly event with sushi from Tokio Sake immediately preceding it- no ifs, ands, or buts about.
7. You’ve already spotted packs of middle schoolers walking down Main from Starbucks towards Ice House- who knows why- pretending like they freaking own the town while you scoff at them in your Jeep as you blast Chance, you cool kid, you.
8. You’ve set up your plans to stay at one of your sister’s friend’s cousin’s husband’s stepmom’s luxury apartments downtown with thirty-eight other people you barely know during Lolla.
9. You’ve told all of your college friends that The Heart of Europe is just the best place ever and you just have to go there this summer even though you probably haven’t been there.
10. Your family is planning a trip to Turks and Caicos or some other ridiculously overpriced and over-visited tourist destination.
11. You’ve been invited to, like, sixty-four graduation parties. And it’s only May.
12. You plan on going to visit one of your old teachers at the high school but probably won’t.
13. You pulled your Eno or hammock out of your closet so that you can go to Cuba Marsh and take a picture in it because you’re ~outdoorsy~
14. You are equally dreading and looking forward to the Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades.
15. You’ve reached deep into the depths of your mind to find your Cook Street order so that you can sit outside and listen to a train go by every three seconds and pet the dogs that walk by all while snap chatting the whole thing.
16. You have mixed feelings about seeing all of the people that you haven't spoken to since graduation.
17.You’re actually pretty excited to be back in the small town you’re lucky enough to call home.
