Home Away From Home (Torch Lake)

 You once scribbled a poem called "Where I'm From", and it was all about your life as a teenager in West Michigan, and although you dismissed it as blah, I absolutely loved it! I was blown away by your creative writing, and I kept it forever. 

To be "From" somewhere, is to belong. 

And you belong here, home, with us... adventures and exploring and seeing the world! 

For the past few years we have a family tradition of spending a week up near Torch Lake, staying at a campground (Tiny Cabin) in Elk Rapids. We always spend a couple of days on the boat, where you have learned to Wakeboard and push yourself to try new tricks. Because of course you do! And because Cross Country season starts in two weeks, you've been waking up early to run six miles because whatever. You come back to the cabin with veins popping, looking all swole and fierce! Perfect timing to jump in a boat and hit the sand bar in the crystal clear waters of Torch Lake. 

We love driving around the Chain of Lakes - through each small town, with the top down in the Jeep! You love to explore small shops and bakeries, looking at trinkets and tasting homemade donuts and sweet cherries. You love to sit around the campfire and listen to stories and burn things because you are an arsonist at heart! 

One of our favorite stops is Barnes Park, to collect Petoskey Stones that have washed up on the shoreline. It's so peaceful and addicting! We all spread out and walk the shoreline, hunting for the hidden treasures in plain sight! The colors of the water, agains the sun in the clouds at dusk... it's like heaven on earth!

And every summer we are reunited with Hannah Johnson, whom has become like an adopted sister to you. She originally belonged to Mariah's friend group, but over the years she has grown quite close to you and Ashlyn as well. This summer, Mariah couldn't join us at the cabin, so assumed that Hannah wouldn't come either. But we were wrong! Hannah "absolutely!" still wanted to join us, and the two of you talked nonstop for three days! Long walks on the beach, sitting on the dock at sunset, and laughing on the boat... It was especially sweet because you thought she would only come for Mariah, when in fact - she is not your good friend too! 

While shopping at local gift store in Elk Rapids, you picked out a little postcard with a picture of Torch Lake at sunset, and the line of trees... it also included a little chain locket with a heart located in Northern Michigan. Because this. is. where. you. are. from. 

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