For the past 26 years my family and I have vacationed for a week on LBI at the same time every year, which for us is the end of June. We stay at the same place, Haven Beach Motel, managed by Bill and Dennis Flynn. We love these guys, and the motel is, for us, like a favorite cousin. We have had an ideal vacation on LBI every year that we have stayed there, regardless of occasional weather issues, with the exception of one year that has since impacted our lives immeasurably.

At some point during our many LBIvacations over the years, my best friend Myrna Santos and her family joined us.