Thirty-something years ago, my paternal grandparents made an excellent decision that played an important role in my childhood and still shapes me to this day. They bought a house in Bridgton, Maine on a beautiful body of water called Highland Lake. Even though I spent most of my time in RI growing up as that is where I went to school, I have many great memories that lie upon this lake where I learned to swim and fish. One of my favorite qualities about it is how peaceful it is. Spending time on the lake baking in the sun and then cooling off in that crystal clear water is priceless. While floating in the water, you can look around and see a breathtaking landscape that includes Mt. Washington, which even in the early summer months will still have a snowy peak. Then, at night time, there is not much more relaxing than sitting out in front of the house looking at the sunset, and as darkness settles in, all you can hear is the laughter of family and friends amongst the sounds of nature and a crackling fire.

It is unfortunate that I do not get to be in Bridgton as much as I used to, but it makes me appreciate it even more when I am there. As a child, I viewed it as a place to go swimming, tubing, and play games with my brothers. As I’ve matured, I see it as a place that truly signifies family and freedom and I know that likely one day, I’ll be bringing my children there to watch them grow up to understand how a small town like Bridgton can play such a strong role in your life.