#reverb16 // June // Summer Lovin

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Summer Lovin | What do you love about the summer? Do you switch up your routine? What does summer mean to you?

I used to be a summer-ONLY lover. Even beyond the days where I had summers off from school with no work in the way (looooong gone are the days). I hated spring for its allergies and relentless never-ending winterish days. I hated the fall because the dying trees made me feel depressed and love-sick for my summer days. I hated winter for the cold, snow, and short days.

Summer was the only perfect time of year. It's when, as a kid, I'd get to go on vacation. I didn't have any commitments or responsibilities. I got to read what I wanted to, not what was assigned. I didn't have to interact with hundreds of kids every single day at school. Sweet relief. I got to go to the pool and hang out with my summer swim team friends. In my twenties, it still meant days at the pool. I would take my laptop and work poolside. I would ride long miles on my bike. I would go to the beach.

And then, every year, it would be depressingly over. How sad.

I don't feel this way anymore. In fact, I think I've done something of a complete 180. And what could be better than liking only 25% of the year? Liking 75% of it instead? I actually like 100% of it, and can appreciate each season for what it entails.

The thing is that now I'm NOT a kid. And I don't HAVE kids. And I don't prioritize tanning- as pretty as it looks. So, I don't belong to a pool, go to swim lessons or meets, or long for summer beach vacations. In fact, I hardly ever vacation in the summer or on any holiday for that matter. I won't deal with the traffic or crowded places! I do most of my vacationing in the fall, winter, and spring.

I still ride long miles on the bike, but my heat tolerance is weakening, so these 90 degree and above days are not ideal. I'd rather ride in the fall when it's cool and crisp and lovely in the sunshine. In fact, there's pretty much nothing that I'd love to do more in the summer than in the fall... when I used to say that everything was dying. That is when my year is coming to life.

So yes... things have changed. I love the summer because from the light of the long days and the refreshing air conditioning of my house, I can plan my travel for the rest of the year and look forward to the amazing adventures the other three seasons have in store for me.

#reverb16