Spring is finally here after a long and ridiculously cold winter. To celebrate, I made a list of some of the many things to love about this season.

1. Spring symbolizes life

While fall and winter are about death and summer is about the heat and fun, spring is a season that symbolizes life. In spring, the dead brown grass turns green again, flowers bloom, leaves spring out of empty, seemingly lifeless tree branches, and creatures of all kinds give birth to new life. It’s like suddenly the world is awakened from sleep and brought to life again and new life is a beautiful thing.

2. With life comes warmth

As the world comes to life again, slowly but surely the sun begins to shine and the warmth returns. After how cold this winter was, I cannot wait to feel the warm breeze and sun on my face again, to put away my heavy winter coat and thick sweaters and wear T-shirts and flowy dresses again.

3. With warmth comes time outdoors

Finally, it is getting warm again and we can enjoy the outdoors for the first time in forever! And it feels great. I don’t know about you but I miss walks around the block and picnics in the park, fresh air, riding my bike.

4. Local ice cream shops open again

One of the saddest things about winter is many of our favorite local ice cream shops close, and even if they do stay open year-round, it is often too cold to even think about eating ice cream. But finally, the ice cream shops are opening again and the weather will be nice and sunny to enjoy a cold treat. I miss enjoying a big cone of ice cream.

5. Flowers begin to bloom

One thing that makes spring so wonderful are the many flowers it brings. Already, snow crocuses and violets are blooming, daffodils will be blooming everywhere, then trees will bloom, wildflowers, lilies, roses, daisies. New flowers are emerging everywhere bringing color and life to the world that was gray and brown and dead just moments ago. What’s your favorite spring flower?

6. The fragrance of flowers fills the air

I love when all the trees are in bloom. There are so many flowers that their sweet scent fills the air. There are few times the outside air smells sweet and the few weeks in May when everything is in bloom is one of them.

7. The birds return

During the winter, most of the wildlife has migrated south or is hibernating. When spring comes, the migrating birds return with the cheerful songs. Sometimes you may take the birds for granted, but when they return after a long winter you will remember how much you missed their cheerful colors and songs.

8. The end of a semester is in sight

There are wonderful things about spring that don’t have to do with nature. For students, spring is a sign that you are over the hump, your semester is nearing an end, graduation may be approaching or a summer break. Spring is a relief. Students can begin to take a deep breath we are almost done, we have made it this far and we can finish strong. And for those who have had a rough semester, they can be encouraged that it is almost over with.

9. People come out of their homes to hang out again.

Animals are not the only ones to hibernate during the winter, people do it too. When it’s cold and snowy often the last thing you feel like doing is going out. Many people prefer staying in their warm, cozy homes. In spring, people begin to get out and do things again. Friends hang out more as everyone comes out from hibernation.

10. New energy and excitement

The world is jolted to life again. All this life brings new energy and excitement where you did not even realize it was lacking. Life is exciting again, spring jumpstarts creativity and new dreams. You have the energy to spring clean and start fresh.

11. Love

Yes, this may sound cliché, but it’s true, spring is the season of love. With all this life and excitement and people hanging out again, it is sure to spark new relationships or renew the ones we already have. In spring, even animals are falling in love everywhere, it is hard to not catch the fever.

12. Happiness

All these things come together to make a season filled with happiness and joy. I am happy spring is finally here and I anticipate finally enjoying all these things after the long cold winter. What do you look forward to the most in spring?