Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘I don’t know if I would’ve survived my early twenties if we didn’t explore all these different places on Long Island.’

Sabina Goetz, New Hyde Park

“I grew up in College Point in Queens, which is a small town. But my now husband, who I met in high school, grew up on the Queens side of Floral Park, and it made us fall in love with Nassau. I always felt like I half grew up there.

“We got married in February 2020, and, about a week later, we moved to New Hyde Park on the Nassau side. In the beginning it was hard for me as a native College Point kid. There were times I felt out of place.

“When I’d go to some of the more affluent parts of Long Island, I was still bringing that Queens loud music. My earrings were big, and I would get glared at and told to lower my music and that there were kids around.

If there’s a place out on the Island, we have seen it. And for all of Long Island’s faults, it has always brought me comfort.

“And I promise you, it was like not that loud nor inappropriate. But I think that’s the fun dichotomy. Where we live, we’re still in an industrial area, and there’s trucks everywhere, and we’re so close to the train station, so all of that tied together is comforting.

“I hope this doesn’t get me canceled, but I hated Billy Joel before I moved to Long Island. But we started going to Mr. Cheapo’s in Mineola, and we listened to his records there. I really listened and I fell in love with his music. Now I can say publicly, I love Billy Joel.

“We’ve made a point to explore the Island constantly. My husband loves Oyster Bay Brewing [Co.] and then getting fries from Bonanza’s [Stand]. There’s a certain magic on those nights where the air is just right, and you smell a bit like salt water, and you’re just baked from the heat, and it just feels really special.

“We love going to hike at Garvies Point or going to Muttontown. If there’s a place out on the Island, we have seen it. And for all of Long Island’s faults, it has always brought me comfort.

“I don’t know if I would’ve survived my early twenties if we didn’t explore all these different places on Long Island. I think that’s why it’s so comforting that we get to live here because it reminds me of the things that brought me the biggest peace in my life. We made it. We’ll be a part of it forever.”

Interviewed by Maggie Rose Melito

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Faces of Long Island is produced by Newsday Consumer Marketing. This content does not involve the reporting and editing staff of Newsday’s Editorial Department.