It was the 4th of July, and what better way to celebrate as a girl who grew up in Southampton than to head out to the quarry? The day was set for the usual mix of bikinis, booze, side-by-sides, skis, fireworks, and friends. But what started as a classic Independence Day soon became a day I’ll never forget. Scott—"The Shader," as we called him—joined our crew for the day. Not only did he come solo, but he brought along a quad large enough for two. Naturally, I had to ask for a ride. From that moment on, I found myself by his side. His jokes, his smile, and those eyes—I couldn’t look away. After a long, sun-soaked day, we all headed back to clean up and regroup. I hurried to get ready and Scott waited patiently, hoping I’d return. The fun didn’t end there—it stretched late into the night. From that day on, we were inseparable. Texts filled every hour of the day, and our phone calls stretched into the late night. I went to his races; he came with me to the shore. By September, I was off to college, and summer came to an end. But just one semester in, I decided to come home to my family, friends—and of course, my "summer" love. What seemed like a Summer fling turned into forever. Now, six years later, we’re planning our June wedding, and looking forward to many more July 4th celebrations.