If you were forced to choose your own paradise, where do you think your thoughts would take you? Would you go to the quaint log cabin in Michigan that has been in the family for years? Or would you think of your cozy apartment on top of a skyscraper in your favorite concrete jungle? Without a second thought, my mind races to Pawley's Island, South Carolina. As locals best describe it, the "stylishly shabby" beach town 40 minutes from Charleston has been my vacation spot ever since from childhood. From hammock shops, crabbing in the creeks, and ghost stories, there's always something to keep you entertained on the island. With only the best memories there, I never thought there would be anything that would stop me from indulging in the lazy beach bum lifestyle. As I stood with my peachy pink toes in the grainy sand, I watched the salt water rush past my feet. The white waves completely covered my feet and I let them sink deeper into the wet sand. Looking towards the horizon, my chest heaved as humid air filled my lungs to spread warmth throughout the rest of my body. I finally let my thoughts slowly stop; I relaxed for the first time in a long time. "Don't wait up for me!" My grandfather shouted from the top of the overpass. We had established a body surfing tradition where he always held first place as the winner, regardless of who actually won the contest. I dove headfirst into the water and headed out to the sandbar to catch some waves. Tossing my disheveled hair over my shoulders, I continued to sink my toes deeper into the welcoming sand. Pieces of wheat settled between my feet to complete my feeling of heaven. Out of nowhere, a warm wave of tentacles moved across my shin. Before I knew it, I dipped my… into the middle of the paper… as I hastily reached for my toes. I sank my feet deeper into the sand to prepare to be crushed by the white water of the wave. But, of course, it was just the familiar sensation of the cool rush between my feet as they sank deeper into the sand. Vigorously scanning the water, I tiptoed my way into the bottomless ocean. Remembering the sensation of tingling and then burning, I looked back to see my beach chair waiting for me in the scorching sun. As I thought about turning around and going back to my safe place. I continued. I kept moving forward. I didn't stop once the water passed my waist. I wasn't going to let my jellyfish phobia keep me from the place I once loved best. As the water ran over the ends of my hair, warm memories of my past fled into my mind. I let my peachy toes disappear deeper into the blue water once again.