It was the summer of 1992 when “The Mermaid Life” began its tale.  We were soon to be the big kids on campus, the 8th grade girls who everyone would talk about.  As young children we all dreamed of being mermaids, in fact we were mermaids, it’s true!!!  Thank you Ariel.  I mean really, how many times did we watch and sing all the songs of “The Little Mermaid?”

When you grow up in a small town like Agoura Hills, as a kid you find anything to do to make a great adventure.  Our crew, The Baba’s, found adventure in living “A Mermaid Life.” We were all so fortunate to live so close to the beach, in fact just a bus ride away. Just a magical ride through Malibu Canyon to the place we called our second home, our playground, our heaven!!!

The town of Agoura Hills offered a bus ride for $1 each way to our favorite spot, Zuma beach.  Ohhhh the days of Zuma 7.   It was a sense of freedom, independence from the bubble, a chance to do whatever we wanted, to be whoever we wanted.  The mermaid crew would pack a lunch, throw on bikinis, and head on down to the beach bus pick up spot.  Of course, most of us girls were giddy with excitement. The anticipation each morning to see which surfer boys we would be hanging with at our local spot.  I’m sure the boys felt the same way, at least that’s what we all hoped!  We lathered on the sun oil, soaked in the rays of the sun, swam in the waves of the ocean, and always kept an eye on the boys in the water.  A typical summer day for “The Baba’s” of Zuma beach.  We spent countless hours lying in the sand. In fact, most of the time we took the first bus in and the last bus out.  It was our life, The Mermaid Life, the life we all couldn’t get enough of.  The cherished feeling of young summer crushes, the true meaning of summer lovin’ is forever etched in my heart. As the sun began to set, it was the bus ride home that made the day unforgettable. What makes me laugh even to this day are the stories that were told on the way home from a long day of surfing, sun bathing, swimming, and flirting of course!  The beach bus echoed with laughter, silly conversations, sometimes tears, and occasional snores.

As the bus made its way through the canyon and we got closer to the bubble, the planning of our night adventures began.  Our summer beach nights usually ended with pizza parties, taco bell party packs or whatever we could find in our parents’ pantries.  But the best ending to our days were the late night skinny dips under the stars and moon, the dance parties in the backyards, the occasional TP-ing of our boy crushes, and the melodies of Bob Marley playing in the background.  Endless hours of laughter, love, and crazy adventure filled our mermaid hearts.

The Zuma beach crew was special, so special in fact we are all still connected through the waves of the ocean, the sand between our toes, and the sun that continues to shine on all of our faces.  The beach bus days will never be forgotten. I’m sure the crew thinks about all the crazy silly memories on the toughest of days, at least I know I do!!!  We don’t have much of these memories recorded as this was back in the day before cell phones or small video cameras existed and for sure before social media was even a thought.   The best part is we all have those same cherished memories, OUR memories to hold forever in our hearts. The many summers to follow were amazing but nothing ever compared to the summer of 1992, it truly was a gift of mermaid magic!!!

The Baba’s

On September 30th, 2012, we lost one of our dear friends, our beautiful mermaid Amy who was taken away too soon.  As we grow old sometimes life creates distance between friends and time passes along with the moon.  Life happens right before our eyes, before we ever get the chance to say I Love You one last time.  The mermaid crew along with the Zuma surfer boys were reunited at her funeral. My girlfriends and I cried into each other’s arms, holding hands tightly, and wiping tears away from our cheeks. It’s hard for me to escape the memory of tears expressed that day especially from the men, the surfers that always acted so cool. Those boys who later became handsome, humble and loving men, shedding tears, tears of sadness for a mermaid who once swam the ocean waves that we all loved so dearly.

As we celebrated the life and beauty of Amy, something phenomenal was about to happen. Her spirit connected our friendships once again. We made a promise, a promise to come together.  A promise to create memories like we did on those summer beach days. To always be there for one another, for the happy times, sad times, rough times, and most of all the times to share our love for one another. Our mermaid Amy is now an angel above who continues to look after every one of us.  She is the angel who blesses us with her presence when we all come together. She is the butterfly that lands on your shoulder when you least expect it, the hummingbird that gracefully flies in the sky. I’m certain that we continue to make her smile and laugh at all the crazy things we are still doing.  She gives us the power, the strength to live in the moment and carry out our dreams we had as children.  Amy’s passing taught us one very special lesson, a lesson that not one of us will ever forget…Mermaid friendships will never die in fact they only become stronger as we grow and live in this journey called life.

Our angel above!

Amy left us a gift…her beautiful daughter Sara. May she grow and blossom to become whoever she decides to be. May she shine her light on our world like her mother once did. I hope The Baba’s encourage Sara to surround herself with friendships that love, empower, and nurture her soul.

The Gift Of Sara!

One Love!

As tears run down my cheeks, I will end this magical story with I LOVE YOU!  We, The Baba’s, will LOVE you forever and ever and always and always!!!

With love and peace, your Mermaid sister,

G-

“One Love! One Heart! Let’s get together and feel all right. As it was in the beginning, So shall it be in the end, All right! Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right.” Bob Marley  

The Little Mermaid

A very special thanks to my mermaid sister Jessica Newton, Editor-in-Chief