Sound Familiar?
The summer of 2011 represents the 16th summer that Eric and I have enjoyed Rehoboth Beach.
What began as a three night weekend in the summer of 1996 was followed by week-long vacations the next two summers. In 1999, we participated in a summer-share for the first time, along with a number of friends from Philadelphia and New Hope, Pennsylvania (our former home).
Over the next three summers we continued the summer-share routine and built countless memories with our various housemates along the way. From house dinners, to theme house parties, group outings, late nights, Poodle Beach, etc., carefree beach life at its finest. Those were the best of times! Two night weekends were often extended to three, and 5:00 a.m. alarms on Monday mornings became all too familiar. The cycle repeated itself every visit…couldn’t wait to return, hated leaving.
In looking back though, I credit my mother for my first introduction and exposure to Rehoboth. As teens, she brought me and my brother here several consecutive summers and it quickly became our favorite vacation spot. The tradition we started as a family then had a huge impact on my desire to return here with Eric years later.
Fast forward, once he and I had several summers under our belts, our love affair with this town only grew. By the summer of 2003, we bought our first home here. We’ll never forget the feeling of walking through the threshold, so to speak, as Rehoboth Beach homeowners. We were so proud and simply couldn’t get enough of being here.
At the time, I remember us discussing a goal of retiring early, by the age of 55, so that we could enjoy full-time life at the beach. 55? Who wants to wait for that? Clearly we didn’t. In just under three years, we made the leap and became permanent residents in August, 2006. Truth is it wasn’t a leap at all. It had been an evolutionary process a decade in the making that culminated in us finally being able to call this beautiful community “home.”
Does any of this sound familiar? I’d love to know how many of you are nodding your heads at this moment with a grin meant for a photo. Where are you, Tony Burns? I’d also love to know how many of you are saying, “I hope that’s me someday.”
In the nearly five years since our move, we’ve heard this story repeated by so many people, all sharing similar experiences in their paths to year-round life in Rehoboth. Men, women, couples, singles, gay, straight, all ages, we are a blessed and appreciative bunch. Just ask us, we’ll tell you.
In fact, this past Sunday, while enjoying the sounds of Pamala Stanley (aka “Pam Stan,” as she’s now fondly referred to by many) at the Blue Moon, I shared this story once again with a few, summer-share, friends. I can see the look in their faces and hear their profound love for the “experience” here, and know that many will likely share similar stories in years to come. Tradition continues.
The other part of this discussion that Eric and I have been asked hundreds of times is “what’s it like living here year round?” We both love that question because it’s so easy to answer. “We LOVE it!” To which we often hear, “really?” With pride in our voices and written all over our faces, we then reply with “Absolutely! And don’t tell anyone because it’s our little secret.” Oh how we wish that were true. Still nodding? I thought so.
I must admit, however, I’m often nearly defensive when hearing the “what’s it like” question, as if we’re so isolated we couldn’t possibly enjoy the slower months when there are fewer people around.
On the contrary, as much as we thoroughly yearn for summer, the perimeter months of May and September are our favorite months of the year. In May, there’s the anticipation of a summer to come, and in September, the ocean is at its warmest but much of the oppressive heat and humidity has passed, leaving us with sheer end-of-summer beauty.
Why do we feel so strongly? Despite political or philosophical differences, for many of us, Rehoboth symbolizes the lives and love of so many people who have collectively played out the literal meaning of the word Rehoboth, ”room for all.” While the phrase is cited often, it’s literal and figurative interpretation can’t be overstated, for it truly represents all of us. And it will do so for generations to come.
As I started writing this column, I wasn’t certain about the ultimate direction it would take. I always hope to find a topic that will resonate with some, hopefully inform, and even entertain others.
The moral of my story…year-round life in Rehoboth is just that, year round life. It’s become our home in every sense of the word and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I’m very confident we’re not alone in our conviction.
Chris Beagle, a realtor in Rehoboth and former mortgage officer, serves on the Board of CAMP Rehoboth. Email Chris Beagle