Bryan Adams said that the summer seemed to last forever, and looking back, it did seem that way.

The mornings were spent at the ball field to prepare for all stars, then afternoons by the DA pool, a different kind of preparation (lemon juice and tanning oil).

The nights meant “watching” movies with friends. Why quotes, you may say? Well, if you had a summer boyfriend, you weren’t watching much of that movie. Kissing, OK?

I glance down at my hand and remember the grit and grime accumulated from softball. I remember the exhilaration of throwing someone out or striking them out. Oh, and the sound of the crack of the bat and running the bases as your teammates’ voices carried you across the home plate. Sliding into home was exciting and the “strawberries” that you wore as a badge of honor. Later, you would pick at those “strawberries” when you were at the pool.

I also remember the feeling of holding someone’s hand and the nerves in the pit or my stomach. I didn’t know hands could sweat.

The pool had its own buzz, especially if one’s crush was there. Don’t look stupid. Don’t say the wrong thing. Oh my God, he said hi. What does that mean? It’s time to overanalyze the hell of that “hi” with friends over the phone.

   “Those days seemed to last forever.”