Welcome to Seaside Sentiments, a new feature that celebrates the deep, personal connections people have to this one-of-a-kind place. We plan to share pieces that readers have submitted, who have opened their hearts to tell us what Cape Cod means to them. From childhood summers, family traditions and details of beautiful locales that have etched themselves on your souls, these stories reflect the many ways the Cape leaves its mark. No two experiences are alike, but all are rooted in love for this special stretch of sand and sea. We hope these reflections remind you of your own Cape Cod story, or inspire you to share your own. ~ Leslie Hatton  

Where is your bench?

By Peter Ubertaccio

As this new year gets underway, I find my mind drawn to moments of reflection. Two weeks ago, with all my children home from college for the holiday break, I made a quick trip to pick up a pizza from their favorite spot in the town of Sandwich, where they grew up, and just one town over from where we now live. I left too soon and had some time to spare, so I drove to a place near the water and parked near a familiar bench.

There’s something about finding your bench—a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what steadies you. For me, that bench is near the Sandwich Boardwalk. If you’re from Jersey like me, it’s not what you think.

The Boardwalk spans Mill Creek and salt marshes leading to Town Neck Beach. This part of Cape Cod is more like the coast of Maine: colder water, and rockier beaches, perfect for spying sea creatures. Mill Creek was where our children first swam in the ocean. The Boardwalk was where...