As the dog days of summer came to an end, Sloane felt sad because it meant she would have to go back to school soon. Going back to school meant that the long summer days that she spent at the pool were coming to an end, and she would have to spend the next nine months in a sad, boring classroom. She liked most of her classes, such as English, history, art, music, and theater, but she really disliked math and science because they were both too difficult for her. This year, she was starting her senior year of high school, and she was both nervous and excited for the first day because at least she would have a few classes with her best friend, Emerson.

Emerson and Sloane had known each other since second grade, when their art teacher, Mrs. Bellamy, sat them next to each other. Emerson was always way better at drawing and painting than Sloane was, so her art projects always looked way better. Emerson won their local art show at the Cartwright Museum of Art numerous times and even won a scholarship to Les Beaux Arts de Paris, the finest art school in Paris, France. After high school, Emerson’s dream was to study art and live in Paris for the rest of her life. However, Sloane was just hoping to do enough to impress her theatre teacher, Mr. Clements, to get a role in the spring musical this year. They were planning on doing The Little Mermaid, which had always been Sloane’s favorite Disney movie. Sloane had red hair and blue eyes, just like Ariel. The only difference between her and Ariel was that her hair was more orangish-red, but imagine how fun it would be if she got to wear a bright red wig and play her dream role. As for her college aspirations, Sloane was hoping to get into the musical theatre program at Carnegie Mellon University.

Sloane decided that her audition song for The Little Mermaid would be “Beyond My Wildest Dreams” from the musical, rather than “Part Of Your World.” In order to do great at your audition, you needed to choose a song that would make you stand out from the crowd, and she knew that nearly every girl auditioning for the role of Ariel was going to sing it because it was the most popular song from the entire movie. Sloane’s boyfriend, who coincidentally was named Eric, was hoping to get the role of Prince Eric, too, in the musical. Since this was their senior year, they both knew that getting those roles would definitely look great on their college applications.

The first day of school had finally arrived, and Sloane had picked out the perfect back-to-school outfit to wear. It included her favorite light pink t-shirt, a soft pink cardigan to keep her warm in class if she got cold, her favorite light blue jeans, and her favorite pink-and-white Adidas sneakers. Sloane’s dad made her a stack of French toast with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast, and as she sipped her chai latte, which she had just brewed in her Keurig, her dad asked if she was excited about her audition today. Sloane smiled up at her father and said that she was definitely really excited about it, but also a bit nervous, too, since she hadn’t seen Mr. Clements since school ended last year and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to impress him enough to get the role. “You’re going to do wonderful, Sloane,” her dad said. Sloane smiled at her dad and thanked him. After breakfast, it was time for her dad to drive her to school for her last day of high school, but before they left the house, he reminded her that they needed to take their yearly first day of school photo, and after he took several of her, it was finally time to get in the car and head off to school.

After her dad dropped her off at school, Sloane walked to her locker, and that’s where she met up with Emerson. Emerson hugged her because she was so happy to see her. Sloane hadn’t seen Emerson all summer, so it was nice that she got to be around her best friend again. Emerson had been away at a summer art intensive camp, and she got to embrace her artistic side. After being reunited, they walked to class together. Their first class of the day was math, unfortunately, and Sloane never looked forward to it. As a girl who excelled in every subject except math and science, she thought that starting the day at 8 A.M. by sitting in a math class was not a great way to begin.

After class ended, Sloane and Emerson continued to attend the rest of their classes, and before they knew it, the first day of school had ended. Sloane had auditions for The Little Mermaid after school, so her dad probably wouldn’t pick her up until 6 P.M. Auditions normally lasted three hours because there were singing, acting, and dance auditions. The singing audition was first, and after seeing forty other people try their best to sing their hearts out, it was finally Sloane’s turn to audition. As she stepped onstage with the sheet music she handed to Mrs. Jenkins, the choir teacher, she took a deep breath and, as she sang her heart out, she knew she had nailed her audition. After she was finished, Mr. Clements gave her a huge smile and told her that she did a wonderful job.

After the auditions were over, Sloane’s boyfriend, Eric, kissed her on the cheek and told her she had an amazing audition. They both stayed very hopeful that they would both get their dream roles when the cast list was announced tomorrow. Working on the musical was a full-year commitment because their school only had enough money in the drama department’s budget for one production a year. Because of that, Sloane stayed hopeful that tomorrow morning she would learn she had gotten the role of Ariel and that Eric would be playing Prince Eric.

The next morning, Sloane checked her email on her phone and found out that the cast list for The Little Mermaid had been emailed out. She was so excited because she got her dream role and would get to play Ariel. Of course, Eric got the role of Prince Eric, too, and she was so proud of him. She couldn’t wait for rehearsals to start next week because she knew the show would be wonderful.

This story is dedicated to my father, Brandon Perry, because the cat stories I write are his favorites.

Every morning, I sit on the beach and smell salty ocean air through my tiny pink nose. I can feel the sand between my four little paws, and some of it gets caught in my whiskers as I feel a soft breeze. My name is Galileo, and I am a brown cat. Unlike most cats who live in a quiet house, I live at Salt Haven Beach in a lighthouse with my owner, August Hayes, the lighthouse keeper, and his wife, Delilah. August named me Galileo because I was gazing up at the starry night sky when he found me.

On a cool July night three years ago, August found me shivering underneath the lighthouse and decided to bring me inside. We have been the best of friends ever since. August is in his fifties, and he has dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a smile that always warms my heart whenever I see him. Delilah has blonde hair and brown eyes and always smells sweet, like the warm chocolate chip cookies she bakes for August every week.

One of my favorite things about living by the beach is that August and Delilah eat fish every night for dinner. August is an avid fisherman, so he constantly catches big fish for them to eat for dinner. My favorite type of fish is tuna, but I also love eating these red things called crabs and lobster. It’s too bad I don’t get to eat fresh seafood for dinner every night because otherwise, I would start looking a little plump like a whale. On nights that I’m not eating fish, I eat regular canned cat food of different flavors like chicken, tuna, whitefish, shrimp, or salmon, although I would much rather eat fresh seafood caught from the sea.

I think of the sand at the beach as one giant litterbox I can dig in. Once, I met a little girl named Lily who was building a sandcastle, so I helped her dig in the sand. But it made a huge mess because the sand landed in my fur as I dug it out of the hole. Lily is four years old. She loves building sand castles and playing with her older brother, Clyde.

Another time, I met a young guy named Jack who loved going on his morning walk at the beach every morning, so I joined him pretty frequently. Jack loves walking at the beach every morning because it lets him come to a quiet place early before work. Jack works as a lawyer, in a giant office building with hundreds of windows. I bet if I went to Jack’s office building, I would be able to see all sorts of birds flying outside his office window.

I also once met a little girl named Kate who was eating an ice cream cone at the beach. She let me lick some of the sweet vanilla ice cream off the cone for her because she feared it would melt. Vanilla ice cream is a nice, sweet treat on a warm summer day. That’s why summer is probably my favorite season. I love basking in the glow of the warm summer sun and getting to eat the occasional ice cream.

I love living at the beach because I get to feel the salty ocean air through my fur as I run through the water chasing birds. My favorite type of birds to chase are white and gray, and they are called seagulls. Seagulls are a very pesky type of bird because they are always wanting to eat people’s food that they bring. Once, I saw a seagull eating a man’s ham and cheese sandwich. The man could barely take a bite of it before the pesky seagull swooped down and stole it from him. Being the clever cat I was, I decided to chase after the bird to try to get the man’s sandwich for him, but the seagull was a bit too fast for me to keep up with because, unlike birds, cats can’t fly.

Sometimes, I help August when he works long nights in the lighthouse tower, and other times, I am cuddled up next to his lovely wife, Delilah, as she reads the latest book she is working on or knits a new cozy blanket for us. August even bought me a yellow raincoat I could wear on rainy nights while helping him in the lighthouse. Since I live at the beach all year, my day-to-day life is constantly changing, but I love that I get to go on many fun adventures and meet many fascinating people.

Being a cat who lives in a lighthouse is very rewarding for me, and even though my home is small, I love getting to explore the beach every day and meeting new people. August is a very hard worker when operating the light in the lighthouse. The most challenging nights for him are stormy nights because ships often have a hard time finding their way home, but with the light of our little lighthouse guiding them, the ship captains and boaters can always find their way home. Just like I have found my place in the world, they can also find their way back to where they belong.

I was built in 1960 by an architect named Frank Albright. I am a bright yellow house, and I’m located on Odessa Lake. I have witnessed dozens of families visiting every year. I belong to the Carpenter family, and I’ve had the chance to watch not only their own son and daughters grow up, but also their grandchildren.

I hold so many wonderful memories for the Carpenter family. Louis and Caroline bought me in 1973 when their oldest daughter, Mallory, was born; their son, Steven, followed in 1975, and then finally my favorite kid of all, Josephine, was born in 1978. Once they were done having kids, they finally decided to get married in 1980. I wasn’t just their vacation home; I was the home that they raised their family in, so I got to bear witness to many wonderful things.

I have a spacious living room where Mallory, Steven, and Josephine used to play when they were younger. Steven used to pretend that my carpet was a tropical forest where all of his toy dinosaurs used to roam. Mallory and Josephine used to pretend that their Barbie dolls were in a fashion show, so the carpet also served as a runway. As Steven turned seven, I became an airplane runway where he would practice flying his toy airplanes. Mallory and Josephine used to imagine that their living room was their classroom. Mallory would always be the teacher, and Josephine would act like a student. Mallory and Steven were always teaching Josephine how to do all sorts of things, like reading, writing, baking, and riding her bike.

Now you’re probably wondering what Louis and Caroline were up to while their kids were busy playing. Caroline was a wonderful cook and baker. She made many fabulous meals in the kitchen, and I can still remember the way they smelled. She would make homemade fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, and chicken pot pie. I can only really remember a few times when her recipes didn’t work out. During Thanksgiving of 1983, she burnt the Thanksgiving turkey because she forgot to set a timer so she’d know when it was done. Of course, the smoke detector went off a lot, and the fire department had to be called so they could stop the burning smell. However, the scent of burnt turkey still lingered for a few more months after that despite the various kinds of candles that were lit to prevent the kitchen from smelling like smoke. She also burnt a birthday cake once for Mallory, but that’s a different story.

While Caroline was always busy in the kitchen, Louis was building furniture in the family’s two-car garage. He built tables, chairs, liquor cabinets, and bed frames, but my favorite thing he ever built was probably the children’s bookshelf. It was made of walnut; he painted it pink, purple, and blue so that each child could have their own shelf to store their books. I liked the bookshelf the most because I knew it would hold all of their favorite storybooks that they loved reading. Louis was a hardworking man, and outside of showing off his carpentry skills, he worked as a dentist. Meanwhile, Caroline ran her own catering company from home called Caroline’s Creations, and it was rather successful because all of her family, friends, and neighbors were always ordering food from her for major life events, like birthday parties and graduation parties. She had even catered a few weddings before, too.

If you head up the grand staircase in the living room, you’ll be led to four bedrooms and two bathrooms. I still remember when each of the kids moved into their own rooms, took their first steps, big fights that broke out between them over toys they weren’t sharing, and other things. One thing I’ve forgotten to mention so far is that they had a dog, Simon, and a cat, Lola. Simon and Lola always seemed to cause some sort of trouble sometimes. One time Simon pooped in the middle of the hallway and Louis ended up ruining his favorite blue slippers after he stepped in it. Lola threw up fur balls in just about every corner of the house, and there were several times when everyone would step in them. Among their bad habits, though, they both seemed to get along pretty well even though most dogs and cats dislike each other with a very strong passion.

As for bathrooms, I remember when the kids flushed Caroline’s makeup down the toilet; she ended up losing her favorite red lipstick, some mascara she had bought at the local makeup store, some of her blush, and a bottle of Elizabeth Taylor perfume. By the time she had found her makeup clogging the toilet, it was too late to save any of it. And although you may think I’m just a house, I remember everything that has ever happened within me.

There is a swimming pool where all three children learned how to swim for the first time, and the grass where Mallory, Steven, and Josephine used to have water balloon fights, and the family’s picnic table that was built by Louis with the help of Caroline when they first got married. Their family has had countless barbeques, picnics, and celebrations at that picnic table, and their backyard has always been their favorite place to spend the spring and summer months.

At the beginning of my story, I told you that Josephine, the youngest of the Carpenter children, was my favorite, and you’ve probably been wondering why and what’s so special about her. Josephine isn’t just a girl to me; she’s always been my favorite because she was the only person to ever realize I was listening to what went on. She used to tell me hello and goodbye when she was little, whenever the family would come home from a vacation or go somewhere. She’s definitely always had a special place in my heart because of that. She was the last of the children to grow up and leave home since she was a bit younger than her siblings, but I always knew she would do wonderful things when she got older. When she left home for college, she ended up going to school to become a kindergarten teacher, and I’ve always admired the passion she’s had to help other people; that’s why I’ve always been very proud of her.

So, as you see, I’m not just a big yellow house beside the lake; I’m just like a person because I can still remember all of the wonderful memories I’ve held for both the Carpenter family, and that’s why being their home is so important. As life has progressed and the family has grown, the children and grandchildren have gotten older, and I love being able to say that I’ve witnessed so many wonderful parts of their lives.

Cole and his girlfriend, Georgia, had been dating for five years, and throughout their time together, they had experienced so many fun and unique things. Their first date was at a local art museum, where they instantly bonded over their shared love of art, music, poetry, books, and pottery. Georgia worked at the art museum as an art curator, which meant she spent a lot of time there. In her free time, she enjoyed watercolor painting, spending time with her cat Winnie, gardening, and knitting. Unlike most women, Georgia was very old-fashioned compared to the other women that Cole had dated in the past. Cole had been working up the courage to propose to Georgia, but he had to wait until the time was right.

Every day, he would leave the house with the ring box inside his pocket, hoping and praying that he would finally get to ask Georgia to marry him. Any guy would be lucky to have Georgia as his wife someday, and that’s why Cole knew that he wanted that person to be him. Right away, he fell in love with her, from her beautiful, long, dark brown hair and brown eyes to her ability to sound very intelligent whenever she talked about anything. There was no doubt in Cole’s mind that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her someday. The engagement ring was a tiny gold ring with diamonds, and it had belonged to Cole’s grandmother, Isabel. He was told to give it to the girl of his dreams someday, if he ever found her.

Luckily, out of every girl in the world he could have possibly found to date, he found his beautiful Georgia, and without her, he isn’t sure what he would do. Whenever Cole had thought of proposing to Georgia, it seemed as though he was always interrupted by something else that was happening, and he wasn’t able to do it. Cole had taken Georgia on vacation to the beach, but her mother had called her when they were in the middle of dinner to let her know that her brother had come home early from college. Instead of spending the last day of their vacation together, Georgia and Cole had to rush home to see Georgia’s brother. Another time Cole had wanted to propose to Georgia was when they were in the middle of eating brunch at Bob Evans one Sunday, but right before he was about to pull out the ring, they were interrupted because their food was brought to them.

The next time Cole proposed, he wanted to make sure the entire day was planned perfectly so nothing would interrupt him. So Cole decided to string some white Christmas lights in the trees outside his house on the first day of summer, and he planned to surprise Georgia with a backyard picnic and propose to her after they finished eating. He prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, strawberry soda, grapes, strawberries, sliced peaches, a mini charcuterie board with meats and cheeses, and homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert. He placed everything in a small wooden picnic basket along with a picnic blanket and waited for Georgia to arrive.

When Georgia’s light blue Volkswagen Beetle pulled into his driveway, Cole was standing there waiting for her with a dozen light pink and yellow roses because those were her favorite colors. As he led her to the backyard, she looked really surprised at the picnic he had set up for them to share. As Cole pulled out their food from the picnic basket, he looked deeply into Georgia’s eyes and told her that there had been something he had been wanting to ask her for a very long time. After they finished eating their picnic lunch, Cole pulled the ring box out of his pocket and began proposing to her. He told her that he would be so grateful if she were the person he could spend the rest of his life with. Of course, she said yes, that she wanted to marry him too, and the two of them kissed one another. And that’s how Cole knew that it was finally the perfect moment he had been waiting for.

There is nothing sweeter in the summer than eating ice cream. When I was younger, there was nothing that I loved more than going to the local playground and being asked by my dad if I wanted to go out for ice cream afterward. Sometimes it was the only way he could get my younger sister and me to leave the park on cool summer evenings after the sun had already set for the day. It’s the simplicities of childhood events like that which I find myself missing frequently, because once you’re an adult, the only things you’re worried about are finding a job, a relationship, and, one day, buying your own home.

Being an adult is difficult sometimes, but especially once you finish college and find yourself unsure about what you want to do next. The first step is finding a job, but sometimes your first professional job after college isn’t the right one, so you’ll constantly wonder what went wrong. Even though I was only in my first professional job for about a month, I realized soon after starting that it wasn't something I was ready for, and that was okay. I know that one day I’ll find a better job I will enjoy, even if it takes time.

The next thing many young adults are concerned about is finding a happy relationship, and that isn’t always easy for everyone. Finding a relationship can happen in one of two ways: you can either meet someone in person or you can meet someone online. Online dating is something many millennials have realized works quite well for them. Finding the right person for you can be a very long and excruciating process, full of bad dates and people who treat you poorly, but one day you’ll find the right person for you, as long as you don’t lose hope that one day you will. I was fortunate enough to find my husband on Facebook Dating, and he’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, because with him in my life I’m way happier than I used to be. Once you find your perfect life partner, you’ll find that they’ll soon become your best friend, and that’s exactly what happened to me.

Moving out of your parent’s home is the next step into adulthood, and sometimes it might even mean moving out of your hometown and getting a fresh start elsewhere. A lot of things can contribute to making this life-altering decision, like getting a new job or starting a new relationship. I was always one of those people who wanted to move out of my hometown eventually because I had always hoped that one day something would lead me somewhere better. Fortunately for me, that is exactly what happened. When I started my first professional journalism job, I thought I was going to be stuck living in my hometown and doing the same job for a long time. Little did I know that the same day I started what would become my dream job, I would end up matching with my husband on Facebook Dating. We had six hours between us at the time, and we were unsure how long that distance would work for us. Since my dream job didn’t work out, I quit and moved to Delaware. Ever since then, I have been a lot happier with everything I have going on in my life. Even though I miss my family, I'm sometimes grateful I don’t live in the same town I grew up in, because moving away from my hometown has made me feel more like an adult.

Not everything in life will work out, and that’s okay, because as long as you strive to do better, your life will eventually improve. When I was in college, I set out to become a newspaper journalist; however, the opportunity to work in that field didn’t work out for me. But I haven’t given up hope that someday I will find a better job somewhere doing something better. I decided to start The Up And Coming Magazine in the summer of 2023 because I wanted to create a place where writers of all ages who have had trouble getting their work published could come together and share it in a positive, supportive environment. Starting a magazine of my own was something I never thought would be possible, but with a lot of hardworking individuals, like those who have decided to be part of it, I was able to achieve a lifelong goal of mine. I am grateful that so many people have come forward and become part of it so far, and I can’t wait to see the stories the writers come up with next, because without all of them, this magazine wouldn’t be possible.

You can check out the July 2026 digital issue of The Up And Coming Magazine here.

Calypso had always loved being in the water since she was a little girl. There was nothing she loved more than feeling the salty ocean water in her hair after a long day of swimming at the beach. Luckily for Calypso, she grew up in Florida, which meant that she had never had a childhood without living near the beach. Most people saw the beach as a vacation destination, but Calypso got to live there, and she had always loved the feeling of the warm, golden sand between her toes and the salty ocean water in her hair. The smell of salt water was always comforting to her, and the sounds of the seagulls squawking were music to her ears.

When the clock struck midnight, Calypso’s legs formed into a bright blue mermaid tail. She was half girl and half fish, but nobody really knew that except her and her best friend, Isabella. She would go out to her swimming pool and swim laps while Isabella would sit on the side of the pool with the latest fantasy novels she was reading. The two of them would talk until the early morning hours, when they became too tired to continue. Isabella had always believed that mermaids might be real when she was younger, but it wasn’t until two years ago, when she first moved to Florida, that she met Calypso and realized they were real. Calypso wore a light pink calico scallop seashell necklace, and Isabella often saw her speaking into it, almost as if it were a phone. One night, Isabella asked what the necklace was for, and Calypso told her it was how she communicated with her father.

Calypso’s father was Poseidon, the god of the sea, and when Calypso turned eighteen at the end of the summer, she would have to return home again to the sea. When a mermaid turns eighteen, they lose their ability to live on land because they’re unable to turn into a human again. Calypso lived on land because her mother and father had divorced. After all, they weren’t right for each other. They fell in love one summer when her mother, Eliza, was working at the local bookstore, but they realized they were too different because shortly after they got married at the age of seventeen, Eliza found out that she was pregnant with Calypso and the two of them found themselves fighting a lot regarding whether or not Calypso should grow up living on land or in the sea with him.

Calypso and Isabella made a pact to remain friends even after Calypso left. The two of them were planning to write to each other using messages in bottles, and they hoped that the magic of the sea would allow their letters to find each other. In the meantime, Calypso and Isabella continued to enjoy their last summer together. They enjoyed many things together, like going to the local boardwalk, riding rides at the amusement park, shopping, riding their bikes, and going to the beach. Isabella even taught Calypso how to surf that summer, but before they knew it, the summer had come to an end, and sadly, it was time to say goodbye. The two of them exchanged friendship bracelets so they had something to remember one another, and they hugged each other goodbye. Then Calypso jumped back into the ocean and swam home to live in the lost city of Atlantis with her father.

Every year on July 4th, the United States of America celebrates its independence from England because, on that day in 1776, the founders of our country signed the Declaration of Independence. The major attraction on the Fourth of July in the United States is watching fireworks displays, which take place in almost every town across the country. People of all ages love sitting in their lawn chairs or on a picnic blanket and watching fireworks of bright colors like red, orange, blue, purple, green, yellow, and pink. Fireworks usually occur in people’s backyards, at local parks, or on beaches.

Independence Day is not just about the fireworks and the parades; it’s a time for families and friends to come together and celebrate their shared history. A beloved tradition is hosting a barbecue at home, where loved ones can enjoy each other’s company. The menu typically features classic American fare, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and salads. The atmosphere is filled with warmth and love, and a unique touch is often added with a cake decorated in the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue, mirroring the hues of our nation’s flag.

Independence Day is not just about the history and the traditions; it’s also about enjoying the summer to the fullest. If you’re fortunate enough to own a swimming pool, you’ll probably have a pool party on the Fourth of July, too. Since July is the hottest month of the year, it’s a common desire to take a refreshing dip in the pool to cool off from the summer heat. This fun and cool respite from the heat is a cherished part of the Independence Day celebrations.

Some towns even hold parades on the Fourth of July for people to attend, celebrating the birth of our nation. Most people usually wear t-shirts with the American flag displayed on them, or they just wear red, white, and blue in honor of our nation’s flag to reflect their patriotism.

Independence Day is an important holiday for all Americans, and everyone has their way of celebrating it. Whether you celebrate it by watching fireworks, having a barbecue with your friends and family, or spending it swimming at the beach or the pool, there is always something fun that you can do to celebrate it. No matter what you decide to do, don’t forget to remember how the country was founded.

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

It was a beautiful spring afternoon in May, and Hazel and her father were on their way down to Silvertree Lake to go fishing. Her father had recently purchased his small fishing boat from an old man named Charlie, who was no longer using it. The boat was white with a blue stripe painted along its side. Hazel’s dad named the boat Eleanor after her grandmother, and much like her grandma, the boat was sometimes very stubborn. Sometimes, Hazel’s father had a difficult time getting the boat to start because it was so old, but eventually, the engine would start, and the two of them would be off on another great adventure.

As the little boat started, Hazel smiled at her dad as he drove the boat into a nearby cove, which had become one of their favorite fishing spots. Hazel and her dad had been fishing together since she was little, and it seemed as though one of them always ended up catching a fish. One thing that Hazel could always count on her father to do for her was baiting her fishing hook. Her dad was always afraid that Hazel would hurt herself if she baited her hook, so it was nice that her dad always did it for her. Hazel also didn’t like touching the slimy, brownish-pink worms because she didn’t like getting her hands dirty.

Hazel and her father both cast their fishing poles out, hoping that one of them might catch something. Hazel’s favorite type of fish to catch was catfish because whenever they caught them, they always ended up eating them for dinner. After a short time had passed, Hazel and her dad both felt a tug on their fishing lines, and suddenly, they were both reeling in their first catch of the day. Hazel’s dad caught a bluegill, and Hazel ended up catching a catfish.

After fishing for a few hours, it was time for the two of them to eat lunch. Hazel had packed a picnic lunch for the two of them in the green cooler they had had since she was little, consisting of turkey and Swiss cheese sandwiches, granola bars, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, and bottled water. One of her father’s and her favorite things about their fishing trips was having a picnic lunch on their boat and talking about life and the fish that they had caught.

Altogether, Hazel and her father caught six decent-sized fish, which meant that for dinner they would have fish, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. But before they went back home for the night, as they sat on the dock, the two of them caught a beautiful pink and orange sunset over the lake. As the sun set over the lake, Hazel was grateful for moments like this that she got to share with her dad.

Liberty always looked forward to the Fourth of July because not only was it her favorite holiday, but it was also her and her twin sister Victoria’s birthday. Every year their birthday was celebrated, but some years it felt completely overshadowed. This year was no exception, as their grandparents had come to town to visit for the weekend. Their parents were planning to celebrate their birthday with a barbecue this year, and every year, the two of them had a birthday cake that looked like the American Flag. The cake was always vanilla with whipped cream on top, and blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries were on top, decorated to look just like the flag. Their birthday this year was a bit different from all of the ones they had shared in the past because at the end of the summer, they would be leaving to start college. Each of them had chosen to stay close to home and attend college at the University of Florida, which meant they could both come back and visit their family whenever they wanted. Since they were identical twins, they planned to share a room.

As more time passed, they both knew it would soon be time to start preparing for their party. Their mom had already baked and decorated their birthday cake, put up red, white, and blue decorations, cleaned the pool, and finished wrapping their gifts. Meanwhile, Liberty and Victoria both had to change into their matching birthday outfits. They were both wearing red, white, and blue dresses and white sandals, along with a little silver bracelet that said each of their names on it. They were both looking forward to celebrating their eighteenth birthday, and their boyfriends, some of their best friends, and many of their family members were coming to join the festivities. The girls had only wished for one thing that year for their birthdays: that their parents would finally let them adopt a cat.

A few weeks before their birthday, their parents had taken them to the local animal rescue to look at cats up for adoption. As the two girls stood back and admired the cats, a tiny orange one caught their eye. The name on her cage was “Gloria,” and both knew they really wanted to adopt her. As Kaitlyn, the worker at the animal shelter, opened Gloria’s cage, they all watched Gloria walk out and run towards Victoria. Gloria let out a few meows and very loud purrs as if she was saying, “Hello, new friends, can you please take me home with you?” Both girls looked up at their parents and smiled, and they said, “Well, if we do adopt Gloria, all I can say is I think we should call her Marmalade.” Their parents both smiled back and nodded. But they both knew that they would probably get a cat.

As the evening drew closer, the two of them got more excited because they knew they might be getting what they had always dreamed of. Ever since they were five, they had wanted a cat, but their parents had always told them no because it was too much of a responsibility for them. Then one year, when their parents had had enough of their asking for a cat, they both agreed that the girls could have one on their eighteenth birthday, right before they went off to college in the fall. Since the two of them were going to be roommates in college anyway, they both knew that it wouldn’t be too much of an obstacle to be allowed to have a cat with them on campus. They were planning on living in an off-campus apartment that allowed students to have up to one pet. Thank goodness they had both already thought to mention it on the application, because they knew that if they hadn’t mentioned they were going to get a cat, they might have had to wait even longer to fill out their application for room and board.

Liberty and Victoria’s dad had started cooking hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, and they smelled really delicious. As Liberty and Victoria headed out to the pool, they both saw their mom putting out red, white, and blue tablecloths, plates, napkins, silverware, and cups on the picnic tables she had rented. There was also pasta salad, potato salad, and a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, a pitcher of lemonade, a pitcher of sweet tea, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. She had also cut up lettuce, tomatoes, and onions for people to put on their hamburgers, too. Both girls had their own preferences for how they liked their burgers prepared. Liberty liked cheeseburgers, and Victoria liked plain hamburgers, but both loved putting veggies and ketchup on their burgers, too.

As Liberty and Victoria swam in the pool and waited for more of their guests to arrive, they suddenly heard loud meowing coming from inside the house. Both of them smiled and ran into the house to see if they really were getting a pet cat for their birthday. Gloria was sitting next to their mother, playing in a pile of leftover wrapping paper from when she had wrapped their birthday gifts earlier. Liberty and Victoria smiled at each other because they knew they were finally getting their pet cat, Marmalade.

As the night was drawing to a close, fireworks were lighting up the sky. They saw red, blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, silver, and gold fireworks. Their boyfriends, Lincoln and Alex, each kissed them under the glow of the fireworks. As the night ended, they both knew this was the greatest birthday they had ever asked for, not only because they finally got a cat they could name Marmalade, but also because they were surrounded by the people they loved.

If you’re single, there will probably be a lot of people who say that you’ll find someone someday, but that it will just take time to find the right person for you. Many young men and women will want to give up on finding love if they don’t find anyone by the time they finish college, but for those of you who are still staying optimistic and hoping that you will find the right person, you shouldn’t lose hope. For the longest time, I have been a shy person, and I’ve hated meeting new people in person, so I continued trying online dating and hoped that one day I would finally find someone. There are a lot of guys on online dating apps who just want to find women so they can have sex with someone, and the idea of a long-term relationship is unfathomable to them. However, there are still plenty of people out there who are serious about finding a relationship, too, but it’s just taking them a while to find their perfect person.

My husband and I matched on Facebook Dating on November 23^rd, 2022, and even though we were in a long-distance relationship because we were living six hours apart at the time, we were always talking nonstop. I lived in Wheeling, West Virginia, and he lived in Dover, Delaware, but for some unknown reason, despite the distance between us, we wanted to make our relationship work. We exchanged a lot of video calls, phone calls, and text messages before we met for the first time on December 30, 2022, and since then, there hasn’t been a day we haven’t been together. When we first matched, I had just started a new job as a reporter for The Wheeling Intelligencer, and the last thing I expected was to match with the most perfect guy imaginable. The more we talked, the more we realized just how similar we are, and we often joke with each other, saying we are the same person. Since we have known each other, he has become not only my husband but also my best friend. We have similar senses of humor and a similar way of speaking, and I am so happy that at the end of every day, I get to call him my husband because he is the type of guy I had always hoped that I would end up with.

However, not everyone is always going to get as lucky as I have when it comes to relationships. In the past, I had my share of terrible men that I had the unfortunate opportunity of going out with in the past. I found out later, after those relationships ended, that the problem was never me; it was the guys I was with in the past. I was used to getting kicked off to the side, told that I didn’t matter, or that spending time with me was a waste of their time. I ended up becoming an unhappy version of myself, and I never enjoyed the fact that I allowed the guys that I chose to date at the time to make me feel that way. So, I knew that whenever I found the person that I was going to be with forever, I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from finally having a happy relationship that I have always deserved.

Currently, I am the happiest I have ever been, and I have Ian to thank for that, because without him, I don’t know where I would be. In January 2023, I decided to move to Dover, Delaware, and even though I live six hours away from the town where I grew up, I have never been happier because I knew I would never find anyone as good for me as Ian has been. After all, there is nobody else like him out there. Having a happy relationship is one of those things that everyone can strive for, but they are one of the things that, unfortunately, takes a lot of time to find, and when you finally find one, it will all be worth it in the end.

One summer morning in June, Brooklyn turned on her television to watch Gilmore Girls while drinking an iced coffee and eating a strawberry-frosted donut from Dunkin’ Donuts. She became very excited because later that morning, she and her boyfriend, Max, were going to the Sea Breeze Aquarium in Seaside, Florida. Brooklyn and her boyfriend were looking forward to their trip there because she had recently started volunteering there for the summer. After all, she wanted to earn a degree in marine biology when she went to college in the fall. Brooklyn’s favorite exhibits at the aquarium were the sea turtle and sea lion exhibits because she always thought they were the most entertaining animals to watch. Luckily for her, the aquarium had her helping out with the sea turtles while she was at the aquarium, so that she could work with her favorite animal. Ever since she was in fifth grade, she had always loved sea turtles because she thought they were one of the prettiest sea animals.

Around ten that morning, Max picked her up in his light blue Volkswagen Beetle, and the two of them drove to the aquarium together. Once they got to the aquarium, they were both overwhelmed by how long the line to buy admission tickets was, but they both really wanted to see the aquarium, so they continued waiting until it was their turn. When they both got to the ticket counter, an older woman with a nametag that said Carol on it said, “Hello, and welcome to the Sea Breeze Aquarium. How many tickets do you need today?” Max replied, “We need two tickets, please, and this is my first time here, so we also would like a map of the aquarium if you have one.” Carol smiled at us and replied, “Yes, we have maps, so I’ll grab one for you. And thank you for visiting the aquarium today. I hope both of you enjoy your visit.” Max replied, “Thank you. I hope you have a great day.” Carol replied, “You too.”

After Brooklyn and Max bought their tickets, they walked around the aquarium. The first exhibit they saw was a cool jellyfish exhibit. The jellyfish were swimming in giant glowing tubes that lit up with different neon colors, like pink, blue, and green, so it was a fascinating sight for them to see. After they saw the jellyfish, they walked through a shark tunnel where sharks were swimming in the tunnel above their heads, so the experience made them feel like they were swimming underwater with sharks. Then they went over to a big pool where they touched stingrays swimming around in a circle.

Next, they saw the sea turtle exhibit, and Brooklyn took her phone out of her pocket and began taking numerous pictures of the sea turtles with the camera on her phone. Brooklyn took pictures from many angles, but her favorite moment was when it looked like the sea turtle was waving at her as it was swimming by. A sign next to the sea turtles said their names were Crush, after the sea turtle in Finding Nemo, and Franklin, after the cartoon turtle Franklin, so Brooklyn and Max thought the aquarium had given them great names.

After seeing the sea turtle exhibit, Brooklyn and Max went outside to see the sea lion exhibit. While out there, they saw Brooklyn’s best friend, Isla, feeding the sea lions fish from a metal bucket. The sea lions were so happy to be getting the fish, and they kept diving in and out of the water while Isla was throwing them. As Isla fed the sea lions, Brooklyn waved to her and said, “Hey Isla, how’s it going today?” Isla yelled back, “Not too badly, but the sea lions are starving today, and it turns out that the new baby sea lion Harper is getting bigger every day.” Brooklyn replied, “It sounds like it’s been a pretty busy day for you, then. Also, by the way, this is my boyfriend, Max.” “It’s nice to meet you, Max, and I hope the two of you have a great rest of your day here at the aquarium. It was nice seeing you, Brooklyn,” said Isla. Brooklyn replied, “You too.”

After seeing the sea lions, Brooklyn and Max returned to the aquarium to grab lunch at the Jellyfish Café. Since it was almost two o’clock, they decided to share a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich with a side of Lays potato chips, pasta salad, a bottle of Coca-Cola, and a chocolate chip cookie. As the two of them ate their lunch, they talked about how their favorite things they saw were the sea turtles, sharks, and the tropical fish, and they were both happy that they got to spend the day together.

After lunch, they walked through the exhibits for the sea turtles, sharks, and sea lions one last time before deciding to head home for the day. But before leaving the aquarium, they stopped by the gift shop to find some souvenirs to bring home. They bought T-shirts, a magnet, and a sea turtle vinyl sticker. As the two of them held hands as they walked out of the gift shop and to their car, Max leaned in, kissed Brooklyn, and said, “I’m so lucky that I got to visit the aquarium today with you.” Brooklyn smiled back at him and replied, “I am too.” Then, they got into Max’s light blue Volkswagen Beetle and drove home.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a closer relationship with my father than with my mother. My dad and I have always been close; when I was younger, people always remarked on how much I looked like him, and my dad has always been, and forever will be, my best friend, no matter how old I get. For the first eleven years of my life, he played the role of both mother and father because my parents divorced when I was three, leaving my dad to raise my sister and me on his own. My father not only worked a full-time job, but he was also a single father raising two little girls.

I’ve always thought the world of my father, and there is nobody in my life whom I have admired more than him. He’s always had a strong work ethic, and I think I inherited that from him. Growing up, he always taught me that if I want to accomplish something, I have to work hard to achieve it. Since I decided to start The Up And Coming Magazine in the summer of 2023, my dad has always been the person who has cheered me on the most. He reads my articles and always tells me what he likes best about them, which means the world to me.

When I was younger, I always loved performing, whether I was singing with the church choir, performing in the school talent show, singing with my elementary and middle school chorus, dancing in a recital, or performing in a local play. My dad was always the one person who supported me the most. As a kid, he repeatedly told me, “Sing loud and proud,” before I sang in front of people onstage. I don’t think there ever came a time when I got stage fright when I was onstage performing because all I had to do was look for my dad in the audience, and he would again mouth the words “Sing loud and proud,” and so I did.

I have a lot of favorite memories with my dad, but one of my favorites was when I was 15, when he and I took a trip to New York City. On that trip, we went to see Annie the Musical on Broadway, we ate cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, we ate pizza at Lombardi’s Pizza, which was the first pizza place in America, we took a carriage ride in Central Park, and we did many other fun things together while we were on that trip. The best part of that entire trip was experiencing my first time in New York City with my dad, because it was the best trip either of us had ever been on, and I’m grateful I got to share it with him.

Another of my favorite memories with my dad is seeing musicals together. We went to see Matilda the Musical and Waitress the Musical in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and we also saw Waitress the Musical once in Wheeling, West Virginia. Like most men, my father isn’t always very fond of seeing musicals; however, it meant the world to me that he took me to see them because I wouldn’t have wanted to see them with anyone else.

I don’t get to see my dad very often anymore because I live six hours away from him, but whenever he comes to visit, it’s always wonderful to see him again. I’m grateful that he has not only been supportive of me throughout my life but also of my relationship with my husband. My dad has come to visit my husband, Ian, and me in Delaware on many occasions. One year, he came to visit us for Thanksgiving, and it was the best Thanksgiving any of us had ever had because it was so laid-back. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at Bob Evans and mostly sat around and talked for most of my dad's visit.

I am thankful for my father because he has always loved me and supported me in everything that I have ever done. I am grateful that I get to call him not only my father but also my best friend. He means everything to me, and I don’t know what I would do without him. He’s the best father that I could ever ask for.

Since moving to Delaware in 2023, I’ve found the hot summer weather from June to August unbearable. It’s a lot hotter in the summer months in Delaware than when I was growing up in West Virginia, and I believe that’s because Delaware has a humid subtropical climate, which means it’s a lot hotter than it is in many states. I know many people enjoy sweating unbearably in the hot summer sun, but I’d much rather be inside where it’s air-conditioned, and hey, at least it helps me avoid getting a bad sunburn.

Many people love swimming in the summer, but I haven’t enjoyed it since childhood. One of the main reasons that I hate swimming is that I haven’t felt comfortable wearing a swimsuit for many years. Another annoying thing about swimming in the ocean or in pools is how the water makes my hair disgusting and unbearable to deal with. Since I have naturally wavy hair, even after showering at a chlorinated swimming pool, brushing it out is very irritating because it is always very tangled. So instead of swimming in the pool or in the ocean during the summer, I prefer to spend my time in the shade reading a book.

Delaware has beaches, but unlike most states, we don’t have public swimming pools, which is why I consider myself lucky. But beaches during tourist season are difficult to visit during the daytime unless you visit them after 4:00 P.M., and that’s because the beaches here are always overcrowded with tourists. But not only that, but we are also forced to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way to the beaches, which makes even the idea of going during the summer months completely unbearable at times. Don’t get me wrong, as a girl who always enjoyed going on family beach trips every summer, I’ve always loved the beach, but I don’t enjoy going to them if they’re overcrowded.

One of the worst parts about going to the beach in the summer is when someone has their dog with them, and it isn’t on a leash. As a person who hasn’t always tolerated dogs, I find it annoying when I’m in public somewhere, and out of nowhere, I see someone’s giant dog racing towards me, and then they decide to jump on me. Not everyone wants to have a thirty-or-more-pound dog jumping on them when they’re just trying to walk outside. Dog owners tend to say, “My dog is always friendly,” after their dog jumps on someone, but what if the dog accidentally bites you when it’s trying to knock you over after jumping on you?

Aside from being the season when people sweat profusely, summer is also the time of year when insects like mosquitoes, wasps, and bees sting people. Being covered in bug bites during the summer is very uncomfortable because it leaves us itchy, and the only way to resolve the itching is to use an anti-itching cream like hydrocortisone. But there was nothing more frightening when I was younger than having an ice-cold can of pop or soda when all of a sudden, a tiny enemy with black and yellow stripes would try to fly into it. No matter how many times I’d try to swat the bee away, he would only return seconds later because he was trying to fly into the pop can to taste the nice, sweet sensation of a Coca-Cola or whatever other iced cold pop I was drinking at the time. Here’s a fun fact regarding that: “Apparently, the only reason bees want to take a sip of your soda is that sometimes there are no flowers nearby to pollinate.”

Well, in case you were wondering, there are a few things that I enjoy about summer other than going to the beach, like eating ice cream and going on picnics. Some of my favorite memories from when I was growing up were at Dairy Queen, eating ice cream after my sister and I were done playing at the playground. There is nothing more enjoyable to eat in the summer than an ice cream cone, even if it’s dripping down your arm while you’re eating it.

I also love going on picnics in the summer, but only if they take place at a picnic table underneath a tree, because if you’re not in the shade on a hot summer day, sitting and having a picnic can become unbearable. Some of my favorite things to eat during a picnic are sandwiches, chips, granola bars, fruit snacks, and crackers, but if you don’t have time to pack a picnic lunch, then you could always pick up food at a local restaurant and take it to a nearby park to eat it.

There once was a man named Louis who would sometimes work until very late at night. When he came home, his young son, Brandon, would often wake up wondering where his dad had been. Louis worked as a certified public accountant, and when you’re an accountant, that sometimes means working until very late each night. So, Louis began to tell Brandon that whenever he saw the moon in the night sky, that’s where his dad would be.

Brandon could hardly believe his little brown eyes when his father told him that he had been on the moon. Up until that point, Brandon thought maybe the moon might be made of cheese, or perhaps it was a giant chocolate chip cookie, but maybe that’s because he was always hungry, so even something as simple as the moon looked like it might be good enough to eat.

Some nights, when Brandon would look up at the moon, it seemed broken, but his father told him not to worry and that he would fly up in his giant green rocket ship to fix it. By the time Brandon looked out his window the next night, the moon would be put together again. It’s almost as if the moon might be a puzzle because it needs to be fixed, so Brandon would always imagine his dad riding around in his rocket ship, collecting the pieces of the moon so that he could put it back together again.

Years later, in 2012, when Louis passed away, and Brandon had his own three children, Hanna, Teresa, and Luke, he told the three of them the story of how their Pap used to tell him about fixing the moon when he was a little boy. And today, every time he or his children look at the moon, they think their grandfather is living there, and whenever the moon looks broken, they know their Pap will put it back together again for them for years to come.

The moon has always held a special place in the hearts of many people, but it holds an extra special place in the hearts of Brandon and his family today because whenever they look up at the moon, they think that’s probably where Louis is. Louis is remembered today as a beloved father, grandfather, friend, and businessman, and he was beloved by everyone who knew him. The memories he shared with his grandchildren, four sons, friends, and everyone who knew him will be cherished forever.

This story is based on the story my grandfather, Louis Perry, or (Pap as my siblings and I called him), used to tell my dad, Brandon Perry, while he was growing up. The story was then passed on to my brother, sister, and me once my grandfather had passed away back in 2012. May the memory of my Pap continue to live on for years to come. This story is dedicated to my dad, Brandon Perry, and is in memory of my Pap.

I’m sitting on a beach in a chair, feeling the ocean breeze, the sand beneath my toes, and I can smell salt water, and it’s the perfect summer day. But I have often wondered what it might be like to live under the sea like a mermaid. Maybe I would be a sea turtle and happily swimming with a group of friends, or perhaps I would be a colorful fish swimming with a school of fish. For as long as I can remember, the life beneath the depths of the ocean has always been something I have been curious about. I’ve never been scuba diving or snorkeling, and even though I hate getting my feet wet, I would someday want to see what lies beneath the crashing ocean waves.

Unfortunately, swimming is one of the things that I gave up on when I was probably twelve because I felt so insecure when wearing a swimsuit. I worried about other people judging me for how I looked, and being positive about my body was a foreign concept to me at the time. Even now, it sometimes is, too. Before I turned twelve, life was simple, and I didn’t mind spending hours swimming in a public pool. I never cared what other people thought of my appearance when I was younger. However, once I realized that I’m not the type of girl who adds up to most beauty standards, that was when I began to find myself less beautiful.

As young women, we are exposed to unhealthy images of skinny models in magazines and on social media. It’s always been challenging to read a magazine of any kind targeted toward women without seeing unrealistic ideas of what a woman should look like. I never thought of myself as anything other than a girl who didn’t conform to usual beauty standards. When I was growing up, I was told a lot through magazines and social media posts that I saw that the way I looked wasn’t okay just because I looked different from other women.

But since society has an unrealistic image of what all women should look like, I’ve spent much less time on social media and don’t find myself reading many magazines either. So, instead of listening to society’s unrealistic beauty standards, I soon decided that if I were comfortable with how I looked, I wouldn’t let anyone else’s opinion of what I looked like get in the way of that. As long as my husband finds me beautiful, I’m okay with not looking like everyone else. I might not be a wannabe Barbie doll, but I am beautiful. My body might never look perfect by society’s standards, but that’s okay because I am comfortable in my skin, and I don’t care what other people think about how I look anymore. I might not feel comfortable showing off my bare skin in a swimsuit again. However, at least I can finally say that I consider myself beautiful.

Maddie has loved writing since she was a little girl, and once she got older, she decided to become a children’s book author. She loved writing fairy tales, mainly about princesses, princes, knights, dragons, unicorns, fairies, and mermaids. But this time, she was writing her first novel about a girl who befriends a mermaid she meets while on vacation at the beach with her family.

Maddie was sitting in bed writing on her laptop when her husband, Parker, brought her a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a freshly baked sugar cookie that was still warm. Parker leaned in to kiss her and asked, “What are you writing about this time, my wonderful Maddie?” Maddie responded, “I’m in the middle of writing my first novel. It’s about a girl who meets a mermaid at the beach.” “It sounds like we should take a vacation soon, right? Luckily, I already thought of that,” Parker said, pulling two plane tickets to Florida out of his back pocket. Maddie squealed excitedly, “Oh my goodness, a trip to Walt Disney World is exactly what I’ve been wanting. How did you know?” Parker smiles, “Maddie, you’re the biggest Disney fan I know, so taking this trip will be a nice way for us to get your mind off writing for a week. But this trip might also inspire you, so you might want to bring your laptop just in case.”

The following day, Maddie and Parker began packing their suitcases for their trip to Disney. Since she was a massive fan of Disneybounding, Maddie loved wearing outfits inspired by her favorite Disney characters. She packed a cute lavender sundress that reminded her of Rapunzel from Tangled, a light blue peplum top, a pair of light-wash jeans that reminded her of Cinderella, a cute pale pink sundress that reminded her of Marie from The Aristocats, and several of her favorite Disney t-shirts. Maddie was so excited that soon she would be riding on her favorite rides like Space Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Under The Sea: Journey Of The Little Mermaid.

Maddie and Parker’s flight was set to leave the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport at 8 A.M. the following day, and they had to be at the airport hours before their flight to ensure they made it on time. Maddie and Parker checked their suitcases to ensure they had packed everything, and they went to bed a little earlier than usual to ensure they woke up in time for their flight the following day. The next morning, they both woke up, got dressed, and headed out to the light blue Volkswagen Beetle they had loaded their suitcases into before heading to the airport.

Once Maddie and Parker arrived at the airport, they had to go through security, which was always a hassle; afterward, they headed to Dunkin’ Donuts for a quick breakfast of donuts and coffee before boarding their flight. Maddie always ordered an iced coffee and a strawberry frosted donut from Dunkin, which she got every time she visited, because they had always been her favorites. Parker ordered a Boston Cream donut with a cup of hot tea, as it was his go-to order. Before they knew it, they had to board their flight, and they were both so excited to go to Disney World again and for the warm Florida sunshine that awaited them.

While Maddie and Parker were on the three-hour flight to Orlando, Florida, they ended up watching the Disney movie The Little Mermaid because it had always been one of Maddie’s favorites since she was a little girl. Maddie had always loved that Ariel was not afraid of following her dreams, and she related a lot to her. Despite so many people telling her she lacked talent, she knew she would be a writer and storyteller someday. One of the reasons Maddie loved Disney movies, even as an adult, was because the characters were never afraid to achieve their goals, never gave up, and never scared of following their dreams.

Once Maddie and Parker’s flight landed in Orlando, they both had to find their suitcases and were in a car on their way to Disney World. Soon, they checked into Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, where they spent the week. Once they had changed into their outfits for the day, they were ready to head to Magic Kingdom Park, so they headed to the Disney Transport bus station, a short walk from the entrance of their hotel. While on the bus, Maddie and Parker talked nonstop about what rides they were looking forward to riding once they got to the Magic Kingdom.

Maddie had visited Disney World since childhood, and the Magic Kingdom had always been her favorite of the four Disney theme parks. Once their bus arrived at Magic Kingdom, they raced toward the park entrance, checked their bags, and walked into the park. Maddie got excited because she could see Cinderella’s castle, one of many great places to take photos. She and Parker posed for a picture with the castle behind them, taken by a Disney Park employee named Melody.

Melody was wearing a lot of Disney pins on the Minnie Mouse lanyard around her neck, and Maddie decided that now might be the perfect opportunity to do a little Disney pin trading. Melody had a Rapunzel pin that Maddie had wanted to collect for a long time because Rapunzel was one of her favorite Disney characters. Many people had always told Maddie that her personality was very similar to Rapunzel’s, so she always took that as a compliment whenever someone told her. Once she secured the pin, she and Parker were on an adventure to find some Disney food. The smells of buttered popcorn, funnel cake, cotton candy, and other treats filled the air. It made both her and Parker even more hungry, so they stopped at an ice cream cart that just so happened to have Mickey Mouse ice cream bars, one of their favorite treats to get whenever they were visiting Disney.

Once they both finished eating their ice cream, they walked through the park so they could ride on several of their favorite rides, including Dumbo Flying Elephants, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Under The Sea: Journey Of The Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan’s Flight. They also met many Disney characters, including Alice from Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Ariel, Tiana, Moana, Rapunzel, and Belle. Disney World was such a magical place to visit, and that’s why Maddie loved coming back and visiting every year. Visiting the parks was even more special now that she and Parker were married because it meant they would visit Disney World together and make memories that would last a lifetime.

After a long day exploring Magic Kingdom, riding their favorite rides, and eating delicious snacks throughout the day, it was time for the nighttime spectacle of fireworks. Seeing the fireworks of various colors like pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and purple light up the sky above Cinderella’s Castle was the thing about visiting Disney World that Maddie looked forward to the most. There was nothing more magical than feeling like a kid again because, as Peter Pan always says, “All you need is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust to make unforgettable memories.”

Maddie has loved writing since she was a little girl, and once she got older, she decided to become a children’s book author. She loved writing fairy tales, mainly about princesses, princes, knights, dragons, unicorns, fairies, and mermaids. But this time, she was writing her first novel about a girl who befriends a mermaid she meets while on vacation at the beach with her family.

Maddie was sitting in bed writing on her laptop when her husband, Parker, brought her a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a freshly baked sugar cookie that was still warm. Parker leaned in to kiss her and asked, “What are you writing about this time, my wonderful Maddie?” Maddie responded, “I’m in the middle of writing my first novel. It’s about a girl who meets a mermaid at the beach.” “It sounds like we should take a vacation soon, right? Luckily, I already thought of that,” Parker said, pulling two plane tickets to Florida out of his back pocket. Maddie squealed excitedly, “Oh my goodness, a trip to Walt Disney World is exactly what I’ve been wanting. How did you know?” Parker smiles, “Maddie, you’re the biggest Disney fan I know, so taking this trip will be a nice way for us to get your mind off writing for a week. But this trip might also inspire you, so you might want to bring your laptop just in case.”

The following day, Maddie and Parker began packing their suitcases for their trip to Disney. Since she was a massive fan of Disneybounding, Maddie loved wearing outfits inspired by her favorite Disney characters. She packed a cute lavender sundress that reminded her of Rapunzel from Tangled, a light blue peplum top, a pair of light-wash jeans that reminded her of Cinderella, a cute pale pink sundress that reminded her of Marie from The Aristocats, and several of her favorite Disney t-shirts. Maddie was so excited that soon she would be riding on her favorite rides like Space Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Under The Sea: Journey Of The Little Mermaid.

Maddie and Parker’s flight was set to leave the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport at 8 A.M. the following day, and they had to be at the airport hours before their flight to ensure they made it on time. Maddie and Parker checked their suitcases to ensure they had packed everything, and they went to bed a little earlier than usual to ensure they woke up in time for their flight the following day. The next morning, they both woke up, got dressed, and headed out to the light blue Volkswagen Beetle they had loaded their suitcases into before heading to the airport.

Once Maddie and Parker arrived at the airport, they had to go through security, which was always a hassle; afterward, they headed to Dunkin’ Donuts for a quick breakfast of donuts and coffee before boarding their flight. Maddie always ordered an iced coffee and a strawberry frosted donut from Dunkin, which she got every time she visited, because they had always been her favorites. Parker ordered a Boston Cream donut with a cup of hot tea, as it was his go-to order. Before they knew it, they had to board their flight, and they were both so excited to go to Disney World again and for the warm Florida sunshine that awaited them.

While Maddie and Parker were on the three-hour flight to Orlando, Florida, they ended up watching the Disney movie The Little Mermaid because it had always been one of Maddie’s favorites since she was a little girl. Maddie had always loved that Ariel was not afraid of following her dreams, and she related a lot to her. Despite so many people telling her she lacked talent, she knew she would be a writer and storyteller someday. One of the reasons Maddie loved Disney movies, even as an adult, was because the characters were never afraid to achieve their goals, never gave up, and never scared of following their dreams.

Once Maddie and Parker’s flight landed in Orlando, they both had to find their suitcases and were in a car on their way to Disney World. Soon, they checked into Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, where they spent the week. Once they had changed into their outfits for the day, they were ready to head to Magic Kingdom Park, so they headed to the Disney Transport bus station, a short walk from the entrance of their hotel. While on the bus, Maddie and Parker talked nonstop about what rides they were looking forward to riding once they got to the Magic Kingdom.

Maddie had visited Disney World since childhood, and the Magic Kingdom had always been her favorite of the four Disney theme parks. Once their bus arrived at Magic Kingdom, they raced toward the park entrance, checked their bags, and walked into the park. Maddie got excited because she could see Cinderella’s castle, one of many great places to take photos. She and Parker posed for a picture with the castle behind them, taken by a Disney Park employee named Melody.

Melody was wearing a lot of Disney pins on the Minnie Mouse lanyard around her neck, and Maddie decided that now might be the perfect opportunity to do a little Disney pin trading. Melody had a Rapunzel pin that Maddie had wanted to collect for a long time because Rapunzel was one of her favorite Disney characters. Many people had always told Maddie that her personality was very similar to Rapunzel’s, so she always took that as a compliment whenever someone told her. Once she secured the pin, she and Parker were on an adventure to find some Disney food. The smells of buttered popcorn, funnel cake, cotton candy, and other treats filled the air. It made both her and Parker even more hungry, so they stopped at an ice cream cart that just so happened to have Mickey Mouse ice cream bars, one of their favorite treats to get whenever they were visiting Disney.

Once they both finished eating their ice cream, they walked through the park so they could ride on several of their favorite rides, including Dumbo Flying Elephants, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Under The Sea: Journey Of The Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan’s Flight. They also met many Disney characters, including Alice from Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Ariel, Tiana, Moana, Rapunzel, and Belle. Disney World was such a magical place to visit, and that’s why Maddie loved coming back and visiting every year. Visiting the parks was even more special now that she and Parker were married because it meant they would visit Disney World together and make memories that would last a lifetime.

After a long day exploring Magic Kingdom, riding their favorite rides, and eating delicious snacks throughout the day, it was time for the nighttime spectacle of fireworks. Seeing the fireworks of various colors like pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and purple light up the sky above Cinderella’s Castle was the thing about visiting Disney World that Maddie looked forward to the most. There was nothing more magical than feeling like a kid again because, as Peter Pan always says, “All you need is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust to make unforgettable memories.”

Art Museums

Many people consider art museums old-fashioned, but I love visiting them because I have always admired how artists can be so creative with their own two hands. When a sculptor or potter shapes clay into a masterpiece, you often wonder how something so beautiful can come from a simple pile of mud. Painters use palettes filled with a rainbow of colors to create works that hang in museums and homes all around the world.

But how can one person be that creative using only their hands? And if most people have two hands, why isn’t everyone a talented artist? I believe we visit art museums not because they are old-fashioned, but because we admire the beauty and effort it takes to create a work of art.

When someone says, “I’m not an artist,” it does not mean they cannot paint, draw, or sculpt something meaningful. It simply means they fear their work will not be good enough to meet the standards they believe artists must reach. Society has created an image of what it thinks “real art” should look like, and many people feel discouraged when their work does not match that image. Yet the pieces displayed in art museums were once created by people who likely doubted themselves, too. Art museums remind us that creativity does not begin with perfection, but with the courage to try. Every artist begins somewhere, and every masterpiece was once only an idea in someone’s mind.

Bookstores

When you walk into any new or used bookstore, you will notice that each book on every shelf is alphabetized and placed in its own genre. Sometimes we go in search of a specific book we want to read; other times, we are not sure what we are looking for at all. We get lost in the stories authors create because we want an escape from the reality we live in.

When an author begins writing a novel, I often wonder how they develop their characters, create a plot for them to follow, and bring the entire story together from beginning to end. I could never imagine the time and energy it takes to write a full novel, because I find it difficult to sit at my computer for long periods.

I used to find plenty of time to read when I was younger, but somehow, as I have gotten older, I have fallen out of the habit. Now I am lucky if I finish one book a year, not because I dislike reading, but because I no longer know how to make time for it. I often blame laziness, but the truth is that life simply feels busier, even though I still love getting lost in a good book when I let myself.

Bookstores are some of the most beautiful places life has to offer because there is always something new to discover. Whether it is a recommendation from a friend or a book made popular by BookTok, you will almost always leave with a story waiting to be read. Even though reading can feel difficult at times, especially for me, someone who runs a magazine, bookstores remind me why stories matter and why I once loved them so much.

Antique Stores

Antique stores are unique in their own way. People love visiting them because they enjoy collecting old things, and even if you do not buy antiques, it is still fun to wander through the aisles and look around. You will always find something in an antique store that you would never see anywhere else. Each object seems to carry a piece of the past with it.

I can use my own experience as an example. Before getting married last fall, I knew I wanted to find my wedding ring in an antique store. Last summer, while my husband and I were browsing, I found a beautiful pink topaz and pavé diamond ring. I was immediately drawn to it, and I am so glad I found it there instead of in a modern jewelry store. I never wanted a ring that cost thousands of dollars, like so many people feel they need. I wanted something with character and history—something that already had a story before it became mine. Although I do not know who the original owner of my ring was or what their story might have been, I am grateful to give the ring a story of my own.

I have always called myself an old soul because I love everything old-fashioned. That is why I have always loved visiting places like art museums, bookstores, and antique stores. They allow me to experience life through objects and stories left behind by others. I love going into these places not knowing what I will find, but knowing I will leave with something meaningful, and that’s why I find beauty in old-fashioned things.

This was written by our founder and editor-in-chief, Hanna Peters.

I got married on November 1, 2025, and, going into it, my husband, Ian, and I knew we wanted to spend as little money as possible on our wedding. Since we were having our wedding in a small conference room, we knew ahead of time that our guest list would not exceed 32 people. That included both of us, some of our family members, a few friends, a few of my husband’s coworkers, and our wedding party. Although our guest list was small, we knew we would still need to send out invitations. Since I’ve always been creative, I designed our wedding invitations on Canva, choosing a template that matched our wedding’s color palette. After printing our invites at Staples in July, we sent them out after the Fourth of July to avoid any delays in the mail. The finished product turned out really cute, and our family and friends loved it. Our wedding was held in a conference room in the nature center at Killens Pond State Park in Felton, Delaware. We knew we wanted a small wedding anyways so renting out a big venue for our wedding day wasn’t something that was necessary for us.

The next step for any bride-to-be’s to-do list is always finding the perfect wedding dress, but I know some of us can be very particular about the sort of dresses we want to find, and that’s why, for mine, I ended up going the nontraditional wedding dress route. I found a really pretty white dress with multi-colored flowers on it at Macy’s for twenty dollars sometime last year, and as soon as I found it, I knew it was perfect and the one. However, a lot of brides do want a traditional wedding dress to wear for their wedding, but sometimes, when you’re trying to have a budget-friendly wedding, the options of dresses to choose from in a bridal store can be very slim because there won’t always be dresses within your price range. Another place to find a wedding dress is at a thrift store or secondhand clothing store. I have often seen brides on TikTok find great wedding dresses at thrift stores, but they’re usually really hard to come by.

Image Credit: This photo was taken by our wedding photographer, Diana Walston.

Two weekends before our wedding, Flora hosted a party at her house, complete with cupcakes, charcuterie boards, and lots of fun board games. We had a fun time there with her, Harvey, Kevin, Glenda, and our other friend, Raven. It was a night filled with great food, lots of laughs, and just like every game night Flora and Harvey host at their house, it was wonderfully memorable.

Image Credit: In this image are Hanna, Ian, their friends Flora, Harvey, Raven, Kevin, and Glenda. This photo was taken by my maid of honor, Flora Gilder.

We bought artificial flowers from Michaels for the table centerpieces at our wedding. We had pink, blue, and purple flowers in our centerpieces, and we just bought glass vases for them at Walmart. The cost of artificial flowers for our wedding was probably around $350, and that was for eight centerpieces. For our wedding, the only real flowers we purchased were from a local florist. We purchased four bouquets and five boutonnieres, totaling $510. If we had bought all of the centerpiece flowers from the florist, our total cost for flowers would have been in the thousands.

Image Credit: In this image are Abby, Hanna, Flora, and Glenda. This image was taken by our wedding photographer, Diana Walston.

We got all our catering from a local Italian restaurant, and the cost was $1,634, which included a tip. Our catering from the Italian restaurant included three types of pasta, a tray of meatballs, a tray of bruschetta, a tray of salad, and a tray of bread. Our guests were all very pleased with all of the food. In addition to our catering, one of my husband’s co-workers baked 144 cupcakes for us, which cost $375, and another one of his co-workers did all of our photography for our wedding, which cost $375. We had three types of cupcakes at our wedding: chocolate peanut butter, strawberry shortcake, and coconut. All of our wedding guests loved our food, and they enjoyed the variety of cupcakes we had, too. Most guests told us that the strawberry shortcake cupcake was their favorite.

Image Credit: This photo was taken by our wedding photographer, Diana Walston.

When it came to finding our dream wedding rings, I knew that I wanted mine to be a vintage ring, so I ended up finding a very pretty ring in an antique store that I fell in love with. My ring is silver and has a pink topaz stone at the center, surrounded by pavé diamonds. It’s a very beautiful ring, and it was only around 250. We found Ian’s ring one day when we went to Macy’s, and he really likes it too. I know most women want their future husband to spend thousands of dollars on their engagement ring or their wedding ring, but that wasn’t how I was. If you want to find a truly unique ring and you’re looking for one that is budget-friendly, I would highly recommend looking at your local antique stores or at estate sales, because sometimes you’ll be able to find really unique rings there.

Image Credit: This photo was taken by Ian’s dad, Chip Peters.

Our wedding party was made up of Ian and I’s mutual friends. His best man, Rob, is one of his co-workers, and Flora is one of Ian’s and my closest friends, so that is why I chose her to be my maid of honor. My bridesmaids were our friends Abby and Glenda, Ian’s groomsmen were our close friends Kevin and Flora’s husband, Harvey. They are some of the kindest people we know, so we knew they would be who we would ask to be in our wedding party. My bridesmaids and my maid of honor all bought their own dresses. My bridesmaids, Abby and Glenda, wore lavender dresses, and my maid of honor, Flora, wore a pink dress.

Image Credit: In this photo are Glenda, Abby, Flora, Hanna, Ian, Rob, Harvey, and Kevin. This photo was taken by our wedding photographer, Diana Walston.

Everyone at the wedding was very impressed with our attention to detail. I knew what I wanted our color scheme, catering, cupcakes, invitations, and flower colors to be like a year in advance, so planning wasn’t as time-consuming as it sometimes can be for other couples who might not know exactly what they want for their wedding day. Luckily, our wedding day turned out to be a perfect day, and we even had nice weather for it. I wouldn’t change anything about how our wedding day went because it was exactly what I had always hoped for.

Also, my husband and I ended up going to Cape Cod for our honeymoon in May. We had a lovely time while we were there.

Image Credit: In this photo are Flora, Hanna, Ian, and Rob. This photo was taken by our wedding photographer, Diana Walston.