Dear Summer '16

I remember dreaming about you all throughout my freshman year of college, you seemed so dreamy. You whispered promises to me that this would be the best summer of my entire life. I had new friends in new places and my childhood friends were all waiting as we had just spent the better half of a year apart. I had a sense of freedom that I had longed for since I was a preteen. This was supposed to be the peak.

I thought wrong.

At this point in life, we’re all in different directions. Some of us have jobs, some of us go to school, and some of us have grown out of one another and simply do not enjoy anything that reminds them of high school. Making plans feels like a chore, more than anything else. Not everyone can make it and picking a time, date, or place are next to impossible. But we all try to make it work because we feel like we have to. Like we need to hold onto what used to be normal and routine. Somehow, this summer isn’t the same.

Sure, I’ve had lunch dates and ice cream trips, and even a few adventures. However, I can’t help but feel disappointed in all that did not happen. Maybe it’s my fault, maybe it’s my friend’s fault. No one can really tell. All I do know is that I’m not the only one who feels this way. Every time I do see someone all we talk about is how we haven’t heard from anyone and are going out of gourd with how bored we are.

I’m a firm believer that life is what you make of it but it’s hard to accept the fact that we are all changing and things are never going to be the same as they used to be. I will say that this summer opened my eyes to how many people I was friends with simply because I saw them every day, 5 times a week, for 8 hours. I learned who I should make time for and who I should simply let go.

In retrospect, this summer definitely felt like the “in between” college kids are always hearing about. It’s a transition. A careful balance between past and future. This time is teaching us lessons that will shape our adult selves. Maybe it’s not all about how many different people you can spend time with or the amount of money you spend or how much time away from home you are. Maybe it’s just basking in the company of those who want to be there and taking a little you time in the place that shaped you before you enter a new academic year. With all the busyness, we need to learn to breathe and accept the down time. We need it, trust me.

In the meantime, I will enjoy the time doing things that I want to do and exploring the person I am. I will be grateful for this time and the friends that stuck by me. Lastly, I will look forward to the next chapter because Lord only knows how different we will all be this time next summer.

So jokes on you, summer ’16 – I accept you for what you are … and I’m doing just fine.

Xoxo,

Me