summer of 2006.

Do you remember sitting outside on the chairs talking, our feet perched on the freshly-painted wood, watching the planes crawl past? I promised myself there and then that we will bask in the benediction of the golden-white rays, through our over-sized-but-oh-so-funky shades, for as long as we can.

Do you remember the cerulean skies with intriguing cloud shapes, the day we gorged on two heart-felt and homemade chocolate cakes, as we watched grown-up men play battleships on the pond? I promised myself there and then that we will forever breathe in the scent of strawberries, and somersault on the green.

Do you remember the brilliantly-lit fairground, the aroma of oily stall-side burgers, and how drunk we all were on our shared camaraderie? I promised myself there and then that we will never forget the sunshine by remembering the downpour, that we will never let go of the present, that this summer - in my mind at least - will never come to an end.

Like everything that I treasure and hold close to my heart, I really, really wanted this to last forever. And in a way, it will - because I will remember, I will always remember - this beautiful summer we had spent together.

May our smiles and memories never cease to fade. Here's to many, many more good times to come!