Summer

To say that I love summer is an understatement. Do you ever feel like there is a season that defines you? That makes you feel the most like you? Summer makes me feel so nostalgic for my childhood. Days that were filled with beauty in the most simple things. Days that started early with the rising sun.  When I walk to my car in the morning on my way to work, I can smell summer and I can hear it in the distance as the sprinklers swish back and forth. It takes me back to the short walk to the swimming pool to start morning swim team practice...where no one wanted to be the first one into the icy water.  I can remember playing in our neighborhood ditch creating our dream home among the roots and mud of the big willow tree.  We would run for hours in the green belt and when we finally tired we would just lie there. Simply lie there and look at the bright blue sky, feel the sun on our tanned skin, feel the grass tickle our bare toes. And when the sun began to set and create a golden glow across the pavement we knew it was time to head home. 

Summer undoubtedly looks different when you're older. But the essence of summer is the same...it's the same summer that was with me when I was younger.  The same green grass, the same golden sun, the same warm nights, the same tanned arms.  

But maybe summer is a little sweeter now that I get to spend it with my love

We can spend all morning in bed listening to the outside world that has been up for hours

We can stay up late watching summer reruns and go to bed when we want to

We can drink wine while we listen to thunderstorms outside our window

But sometimes I secretly want to trade all of my grownup advantages to still be able to run wild through the tunnel the great lilac bush made in our backyard, breathing in the sweet purple flowers.  Being immersed in our imaginary world for hours...not having a care in the world.