I spent the first 18 years of my life with a beach less than five minutes from my house. I could drive to six different beaches in under 20 minutes, two that are the most popular Boardwalks at the Jersey Shore. I spent almost every day during the summer at the beach, I even work at the Boardwalk. Spring time was all about leaving school and driving right to the beach, and the Fall and Winter meant bundling up to go sit at the inlet with the best ice cream at the Shore even though it was way too cold. Being at the beach is the best thing in the world.

Then I went to college and the closest beach to me is over an hour away. This is absolutely terrible. So here are all the things that you miss when you no longer have the beach so close.

1. The Inlet

Anyone who lives near a beach knows their inlet. You may have a few in your area but everyone has their favorite (Point Pleasant Beach for me). Its the perfect place to go no matter the time or weather. It's a place where you can just sit and think about life, make decisions, and personally, I have had some pretty big life moments sitting right on those rocks. My name is even written on a few. It truly is the most calming place in the world.

2. The Boardwalk

Though I will never set foot near the Boardwalk on a Friday or Saturday night in the middle of the summer (except for work), it's amazing to live so close to something so cool. Every middle-schooler had their first date at the Boardwalk. Everyone has at one time worked on the Boardwalk, and everyone has hated it. We have all given up on going to the Fun House or playing Mini Golf except for those nights we decide to be "touristy," and I don't think I have bought food on the Boardwalk since I was one year old because I can't afford it. But I know it's still the best thing around. While everyone else traveled hours and days to be here, it takes me minutes to have the time of my life.

3. The Food

There is no real reason that Beach food is the best, but it really is. Midway Steakhouse is a staple of any trip, and Boardwalk cheese fries are literally everything. So whether you want fried Oreos, a funnel cake, pizza, hot dogs or literally anything, it's probably the best at the beach. And don't get me started on the seafood. If you want to talk about the freshest seafood, it will be at the beach, and it will be the best.

4. The Ice Cream

On the topic of food, the ice cream by the beach is everything. Kohr's ice cream is needed every day of my life, and we have all instagrammed the beauty of that Orange and Vanilla swirl at least once. And by me, I also have Hoffman's, Sundaes and so much more that everyone should be jealous of is our ice cream selection.

5. The Sand

Zac Brown Band had it right when they said "Toes in the Water, Ass in the Sand. Not a worry in the world..." If you ever just want to be happy, just sit on the beach and watch the tide roll in. Whether it's 10 a.m. in 85 degree weather or 7 p.m. in 40 degree weather, it will most likely be the best part of your day.

6. The People

People who live at the beach are just a better kind. They are happier, brighter, tanner. They didn't have the drive miles and miles to be where they are, and they know the rules like how you don't leave your garbage everywhere and that you just don't wear shoes on the beach. We are just a better type of people, and you just know who else lives at the beach.

Living further from the beach has taught me to appreciate it more than I ever had. I miss it, and the second I am home for even a day, I will be at the beach. Being there gives you a feeling you could never understand until you are there.

So here's to the beach, the place I want to be, the place I love, the best place of them all.