When I was young and poor(er), my sister and I used to ride around the Beach in my P.O.S. Honda Civic with its vinyl seating and no AC, looking for something–anything–to pass the time.

To stay cool, we drank Slurpees. Lots and lots of Slurpees.

You know what I’m talking about…frozen, saccharine, soft-serve goodness found conveniently at your local 7-Eleven.

I don’t remember drinking anything but Coca-Cola-flavored Slurpees. And of course there were also Wild Cherry and something bright blue as well to choose from. Looking at the Slurpee.com website, however, I have recently learned that there are now all sorts of (bullshit) flavors to choose from. These include Sugar-Free Crystal Light Cherry Limeade, Apocalyptic Ice and Mountain Dew Voltage Freeze. But let’s be honest; sugar is sugar, and Slurpees are Slurpees. No matter what color or flavor, there’s simply nothing like an ice-cold, delicious, delectable, excruciatingly sweet and perfect 7-Eleven brainfreeze on a hot, humid day. (The scientific name for a brainfreeze, fyi, is Sphenopalatine Ganglioneuralgia–a fact I also learned from Slurpee.com.)

As they have done for as long as I can remember, 7-Eleven will be offering free Slurpees on 7-11 to celebrate its birthday. This Saturday marks the company’s 82nd.

I know many of us–myself included–have fallen in love with the bright white allure of Wawa. But in the beginning, back in the day, there was always 7-Eleven. Unchanged and totally still effective, their signs conjure a certain nostalgia now, like the signs on old Route 66. 7-Eleven is a classic. An old standby. A reminder of my innocent summers, during which a frosty Slurpee could nearly take the place of actual air-conditioning.

So in honor of you, 7-Eleven, the site of so many of my sweltering, adoloscent memories, I shall tip up my cup of Coca-Cola-flavored Slurpee and toast the times when life was simple, summer was fun, and my sister and I had nothing better to do than ride around in my crappy Honda. Cheers!