Long Island, New York

Last weekend we took a trip to Long Island, New York.  This is where I was born and spent all of my childhood years; well, until I was almost 14.  Whenever I mention Long Island to anyone here in Pennsylvania they seem confused as to what exactly Long Island is.  They automatically assume I'm talking about the city and that I am from the city.  No, no, no.

If you look at a map of New York or the eastern part of the United States Long Island is the land that sticks out from NY.  It's along the edge of the city ... but it's not the city.  

We moved out of Long Island because living there was too expensive for my parents and they were struggling.  My paternal grandparents moved to Pennsylvania and my parents decided to follow.  My siblings are a lot older than me; my brother was divorced with children and in a serious relationship (later married her), my sister was married and my other sister had just graduated from college and had a life on LI she didn't want to leave -- and a boyfriend who is now her husband.  Since I was just a teenager in junior high I had no choice but to go along.  Let's just say I wasn't happy about moving.  It was so hard leaving my family and friends and going to an unfamiliar place.  I had a terrible start here in Pennsylvania but over the years I managed to make friends and a life here.  I was torn between wanting to move back to Long Island and wanting to stay here in PA.  As of now I can see that coming here was just another part of God's plan for me and I'm happy.  It's just a 5 hour drive to Long Island and I can go there whenever I need to.  It's an expensive trip, but we make it happen when we can.

It had actually been three years since my last visit and that was for my niece's wedding.  This time we went for my nephew's wedding.  My nephew is now in his thirties and was ready to settle down and start a family.  He's known to be pretty wild and he met a girl who seems to be great for him.  It was a fun time and I'm glad to have spent some time with family.

Here's the happy couple exchanging vows.

My kids LOVE to dance and they wasted no time hitting the dance floor at the reception.  They had everyone's attention.  It was so cute.

The evening before the wedding we took the kids to the beach.  That's the best part about Long Island in my opinion.  There are beaches everywhere!  Of course, it's an island.  The kids love the beach and they had so much fun.

 

I have to be honest and say as much as I enjoy going back to Long Island I'm happy to be back here to my relaxed, quiet life in south-central Pennsylvania.  I feel more at peace here.  Long Island doesn't even feel like home to me anymore.