Summertime.  The word itself just brings a smile to my face.  I think about sunshine, lemonade and long days spent at the beach.  This is a little funny though, considering I rarely drink lemonade and I live a good 35+ minutes from the beach.  Maybe I should substitute white wine and backyard grilling.

Growing up, I lived even farther from the beach.  A lot farther.  I would drive 4 hours to get to my Grandparent’s house on Lake Leelanau.  It was a drive that was worth every minute.  When I lived on the east side of Michigan, your options for going to the beach were a bit more limited.  There were a couple meaningless, no name (or at least names I don’t know) lakes that may have been swimmable and then you could drive to Lake Huron. Now no offense to Mr. Huron – but that lake fails to even hold a candle to the light of Lake Michigan.

So into the car we jumped every summer to make the 4 hour journey to Grandpa and Grandma’s house.  And when we arrived, summer could then begin.

Every time I see a picture of Fishtown or even Traverse City in my social media feed, I can’t help but feel a little jealously and longing.  Can I please have another excuse to go Up North?  Will you please let me plan your wedding up there???  (I’m not begging – I’m asking very nicely, with lots of urgency behind it!)

I still make that trip as often as possible, especially since it’s gotten a little shorter now that I live in Grand Rapids.  And while someday, I hope to live a little closer to the lakeshore but still remaining in West Michigan, I don’t think that will ever stop me from traveling to Leelanau, which will forever be my home away from home.

Photo by Shannon Scott Photography {Smug Shots}, did you know that I was lucky enough to have my wedding reception in Leland, Michigan?