This week I was sitting across the table from one of my good friends eating sushi and sharing about our lives and he asked me a question that made me think:

"What was best and worst of your summer?"

First off, this guy. He challenges me to think about the different seasons of life and inspires me by how positive he remains in whatever life brings him.

This is our favorite activity: Laughing and encouraging one another through happiness, sadness, trial, appreciation, and confusion. He's the kind of friend I wish everyone could get the experience of knowing because he walks alongside of people and makes life fun.

Secondly, wow. That question.

Well honestly, I hadn't really thought about it up until that point because it usually takes me a little longer to digest all that the season has brought.

It got me thinking. What would we say if someone asked us: "Where are you at in life? How has your past influenced your future? How has the season you've been through impacted the new season you're entering? Where do you see yourself this upcoming semester?"

What would I say?

The hardest thing about my summer was being far away from a lot of my really close girlfriends because they're the ones that I confide in the most. They're the ones that see me through, the ones who really know me, the ones who listen and the ones who I entrust with my heart.

Although we talked a decent amount, there's something about being there physically that makes a big difference.

Yes, distance does make the heart grow fonder, but what I really learned from being away from those people this summer was to appreciate the things that were right in front of me. Because if I hadn't had that distance, I don't think I would've grown as close to the people I was actually with.

And so, the best part about my summer was really being able to focus on my relationships with people that were in front of me. I'm thankful that I was in Auburn for the summer because the pace that Auburn sets in the summer really allowed me to have the leniency to soak up all the time I had with the friends that were there.

I'd like to say that we grew in our quality of relationships and made headway in our efforts to understand one another. I'd say that I came to know the importance of patience and how important it is to find the people that are fun-loving and supportive.

I'd say that I look forward to how my heart and relationships will continue to grow as the fall closes in on us. I'd say that my goal is to make the people in my life feel appreciated and loved in the smallest ways.

So, as you read this, it may be helpful to you to think about how you've changed this summer.

For me, it's difficult not to compare my seasons of life because some are iconic and others are ones that I wouldn't like to think twice about. But those seasons are just as important as the ones that were outwardly full of happiness because they got me to where I am today.

So, what would you say? How are you doing? Are you where you want to be?