Ever since my cousin uttered the phrase “beach beach” one sunny day when we were driving toward the ocean years ago, it was love.

Since then (and since my sister and I, who are considerably younger than our cousin, finally saw the videotape), we have been ALL ABOUT saying things twice.

Maybe it’s the fact that my mother is a teacher, and she appreciates strange things kids say. Maybe it’s because I worked with children every summer for four years, and my sister is now doing something similar to what I did. Or maybe it’s because we all have an off-color sense of humor when it comes to things like this.

It’s also possible we continue doing this because we enjoy poking fun of the cousin, too.

Whatever the case, we LOVE it.

For example, my mom’s dog. You’d be hard-pressed to find one of us actually calling her Callie. Listen for Cal Cal or Pup Pup or Love Love.

My sister’s dog, Ella Mae? Mae Mae.

Spring break last year took 15 friends and me to the beach beach. What makes it better was that by the time we left, everyone else was calling it the beach beach. They found it just as amusing as me.

I’ve even gotten my boy doing it.

Whenever we talk about my future dog, he’ll occasionally call it a pup pup or a ruff ruff.

But it doesn’t just pertain to dogs and the beach. Oh, no.

It can be used to describe people, too. Preferably the ones closest to you. (So they don’t think you are a complete weird-o.)

This morning, I listened to this message on my phone:

Hey, love love. This is your mom. Call me back back.

I kid you not.

While I realize it could get a little annoying, I don’t think any of us use it THAT much.

And no matter what other people say or how strange they think it is, we all just laugh because it’s an extended inside joke that is constantly revamping itself and occasionally lets new folks in. (And you’re now in on it, freaders!) Because who doesn’t love one of those? And isn’t it fun to say something twice, if not just for dramatic effect or to poke fun of someone else?

Exactly.