It’s tradition. When I was a kid, cousin Lagoon day was the highlight of my summer – hands down.

In case you’re not from Utah, Lagoon is our local amusement park. It has a rich 100+ year history and is a staple in the community. Everyone goes to Lagoon. My mom will talk about going as a teenager to hear Battle of the Bands – which was exactly what it sounds like except the bands were bigger than you’re imagining – think The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones.

We had one magical day there every summer. Grandma and Grandpa were there and the cousins. We got there right as the gates opened and always asked to stay “until the lights came on.” We packed in our own food in coolers, leaving them under a blanket on the picnic tables in the back of the park.

I grew up going to Lagoon. I’ll always think of my grandparents – sitting on the bench in front of what used to be the Fun House. I’ll always think of Grandma’s yellow cake with orange frosting and my Grandpa discussing the merits of the Colossus versus the old white roller coaster which “jerks you around.” He’s not wrong.

Fast forward many, many years… I’m now a mom and Lagoon still serves as the backdrop for a new group of cousins.

Cousin Lagoon Day is always a highlight and this year proved no different. The kids ran around together, all deciding to wear blue and creating their own jokes and traditions. We moms got to see the joy of the park wash over the youngest in the family – 2 1/2 and 1 years old – who both squealed with delight on every ride.

We packed our own lunch, leaving it under a blanket on the picnic tables in the back. We made Grandma’s yellow cake with orange frosting. We got a group photo of the kids and we also got a group photo of the moms – which my niece described as “just like all the other mom pictures.”

Again, it was pure joy.

Afterward, I wrote a letter to Lagoon thanking them for a great day, the many amenities they provide (like .25 water!), clean bathrooms and beautifully kept grounds. They thanked me for the nice feedback and ended their reply in the best way possible:

Long live cousin Lagoon Day!