Dear Summer,

I’m sorry. I’m sorry I complained about how humid you were last year. I’m sorry I complained about the back sweat from my backpack that you gave me. I’m sorry I wished you would let me wear sweaters. I’m sorry I begged you to step aside and let fall take over. After all the complaints I made about you last year, I understand why you would do this to me, but please forgive me and make Winter give up her reign.

Winter may have arrived late this year, but she made her presence clear. In Blacksburg, we’ve already gotten our fair share of snow for the season and experienced single-digit temperatures with wind chills bringing us into the negatives. The grey skies are so dreary, and the icy sidewalks and paths have been bringing people down, literally.

I know I was so excited to wear sweaters, but I have to be honest, I’m really tired of bundling up. I have to put on a parka, a hat, a scarf, gloves and boots just to go outside and still freeze, and don’t forget that once I get to class I’m sweating and have to take all of that back off. The truth is, life is just so much easier when I can throw on a tank top with some shorts and flip flops.

Each year, you bless me with a wonderful tan. I spend hours of quality time with you to get that perfect sun-kissed glow, but when you leave me, you always seem to take my tan with you. As pretty as the snow can be, I really don’t want to be so pasty white that I blend in with it. And sometimes, I just want to let my hair air-dry on the way to class, but single-digit temperatures tend to freeze my hair rather than dry it. Oh by the way, speaking of dry, let’s just pause for a moment to pray for my skin. It doesn’t seem to matter how much lotion I lather on my skin, Winter will ensure that it stays dry. Winter has a way of making me want to go into hiding under my heated blanket instead of being outside and enjoying the beauty of Virginia Tech.

Olaf may just be a silly snowman, but he’s onto something…You make me happy, Summer. I miss you and your activities. I can’t exactly go to the beach or go wakeboarding at the lake while Winter’s in town.

According to Punxsutawney Phil who didn’t see his shadow at the beginning of the month, we should only have a few weeks left of Winter. I’m begging you, Summer, please for the sake of all Hokies in Blacksburg, please let the groundhog be right and hurry up and send Spring on her way so that you can get here shortly thereafter. I said some awful things about you last year, but please, please forgive me, and come back soon. I promise I will enjoy you and all the humidity and sweat you bring. Well, if I’m being honest, I’ll probably complain about those things again come July, but I'd rather be hot and sweaty than cold and icy. I really do love you, and you’ll always be my favorite of the seasons (shhh… don’t tell the others).

Can't wait to see you,

Your biggest fan