After graduation, life took me on a journey. I went to college had several jobs, made wonderful friends, and eventually met my incredible husband, David in Long Beach Island, which has since become my happy place. We’ve been married 32 years and live in Harrington Park about an hour north from Summit . There we raised our daughter Nicole and son Christopher who are both thriving young adults. My daughter is a teacher and my son works in our family printing company. What makes me most proud is that they are genuinely good people. That’s really all you can ask for as a parent, especially in this crazy world.
This reunion comes at a particularly emotional time for me. My father passed away this past week and it’s been an incredible loss. My mother died seven years ago and with my dad‘s passing, I feel like I’m losing my last tangible tie to Summit, the place where it all began. I would come take him out to lunch in Summit once a week to the diner or we would grab a sloppy Joe sandwich from Hill City Deli. So simple but so full of love and connection. As i’ve been thinking about that and about going to the reunion, it’s really hit me how deep this town, Summit is woven into who I am. With both my parents gone it feels a little like I’ve lost my last real reasons to come back here… And that’s a strange kind of sadness.
In recent years, I’ve leaned into my love for travel, design, decorating, and fashion . Creating spaces that feel warm and personal. I’ve had the joy of designing a few houses, including our beach house in Long Beach Island. That’s where David and I met all those years ago and it still feels like my heart‘s home– where the ocean breeze and sand beneath my toes always remind me how lucky I am .
As I look back over these 40 years, what stands out most are the incredible people and the moments that shaped me , many of whom I am still friends with today and see regularly.