Some days are so perfect, so full of joy, that we wish we could live them all over again. We asked our readers to share the one childhood memory they’d relive in a heartbeat – here’s what they said.
Maddalena Luberti is a 21-year-old student at Kings University of London.
“Without realising it, we pulled into that driveway for the last time”.
“When I was younger, the drive to our countryside home in Tuscany marked the beginning of summer. I would sit in the backseat, counting the kilometer markings on the highway, knowing that when we reached 120, it was time to take the exit. From the window, the blur of traffic flattened into fields of wheat, and the asphalt gave way to winding dirt roads. I’d spot the old shepherd’s hut that marked the turn for our street, and that’s when I knew – we had arrived. As we pulled into the driveway, our white shepherd dog would come running alongside the car, and the moment we cracked the door open, he’d leap onto the seats to greet us, his tail wagging wildly. As the sun set, cicadas filled the air, and the olive groves whispered in the breeze. It’s bittersweet to think that one evening, without realising it, we pulled into that driveway for the last time. We had sold the house, and everything that followed marked the end of an era. I’d give anything to relive that day.”
Lily Deathe is a 22-year-old student at Goldsmiths University of London.
“Now, years later, that moment feels even more special. Lucy passed away this summer, and I would give anything to relive that first day with her – the excitement of meeting her for the very first time”.
“I must have been six, maybe seven, when I got my first cat, Lucy. She was so small and scared, hiding in the corner of the room. I remember sitting by the window, waiting. I wanted so badly to scoop her up, but I knew I had to be patient – I had to earn her trust. Being patient was hard for a six-year-old, but more than anything, I just wanted her to feel safe. I sat there quietly, watching her, resisting the urge to move too fast. Eventually, Lucy crept closer, her tiny paws hesitant but curious, until finally, she curled up beside me for the first time. That moment is something I will never forget. Lucy passed away this summer, and I would give anything to go back to that first day with her – to feel that pure excitement and happiness of meeting her for the very first time.”
Costanza Santacroce is a 21-year-old student at Goldsmiths University of London. Pull quote: “It felt like we were in some coming-of-age film.”
“When I was about 14, I was staying with my best friend’s family in Madison for two weeks during the summer, and every day felt like a little adventure”.
One afternoon we wandered around gardens and hiked through the countryside with her family. It was one of those stunning days that felt like we were in some coming-of-age film.
That evening, we went to Lake Mendota and sat on the pier. The sky was unbelievable: purple and pink, with a light breeze and the perfect temperature. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful sky ever. I remember just sitting there, taking it all in, not wanting it to end because it was my last night before heading back home.
We talked about the silliest things – boys, random inside jokes – completely lost in the moment. I remember looking at my friend, Nell, and thinking, If I could ever go back to a moment, it would be this one. It was my heaven moment. No one else was around. It was peaceful, quiet, and perfect. And even now, I think about how much I’d love to step back into that night, just for a little while.”
Let us know which day from your childhood you’d love to relive. Message us on social media!