It’s finally that time of year again. We’ve been looking forward to this time of year every year since we were kids. Mostly because that meant school was over and we no longer had to worry about homework assignments. Then as we grew older it meant more time to sleep in. However, little by little work, internships, volunteer, and summer courses are consuming our summers. But whether you’re busy, or taking advantage of your break and relaxing by the pool, there are a few things that never change, even if we are.
1. The Sound Of The BullFrogs
If you live by a lake, you know what I mean. As little kids you always wondered what that weird sound was while you were playing in the backyard and that same sound coming through your window at night. Then, you found it amazing when you learned that the deep noise came from something so tiny. Now, it serves as a familiar background summer soundtrack.
2. Sleeping With The Windows Open
Whether they’re swung open during the fall, or cracked open during the winter, there’s something so relaxing about sleeping with the windows open. Nothing beats the summer air blowing open the curtains, the crisp but warm air circling the room making it just cool enough to sleep with a thin layer of sheets. Then the faint sounds of crickets and the bullfrogs across the lake, and the rush of cars on road off in the distance. Even though you’re winding down you’re connected with the rest of the still busy world at your window.
3. Lightning Bugs
The little trills that came to you as a child, “MOM LOOK IT'S GLOWING”, now still brings out that inner child in you as the sky gets darker, and the backyard gradually becomes lighter.
4. Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream On Sunburnt Lips
After a hot day in the sun nothing feels better than a cool fruit Popsicle to cool you down; the icy orange, blue, red, and green pops wrapped in a clear plastic that you waited to melt so you could drink it up, or a tub of orange creamsicle ice cream, reliving the heat against burnt lips.
5. Sitting On The Deck All Night And Breathing In The Fresh Warm Air
6. Lake Nights
7. Tanning
8. BBQs
Tis’ the season for hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, pasta salad, and all the other salads; the typical menu for a summer family BBQ. After not having it all year around, the first BBQ of the summer is the first official event screaming that the season is finally here.
9. Crickets
10. Clear Summer Skies
Whether you're laying out on the beach, on your porch, on a float in the pool, the sky seems a little bluer during the summer, and the clouds seem to roll by a little slower.
11. Warm Sunkissed Skin Against Cool Pool Water
Jumping around in the sprinklers, down water slides, or doing a canaan ball into the pool, we couldn’t wait to get on our bathing suits and into the water.
12. Sparkling Waves
Ah, the first beach day. Finally not having to worry about anything but when to apply your sunscreen. Making the transition from pavement to taking your flip flops off and stepping onto the warm sand, seeing the waves, and the sparking and inviting water up a head, brings you to the relaxation level that you dreamed about every so often while you were sitting at your desk, staring at your half written term papers.
13. Excitement Over Going Away
Just the simple fact that you get to go home for the summer is pretty sweet. But being able to travel is even sweeter. What beats picking up your luggage and living in a hotel room that you don’t have to clean? And pretty sand beaches, and tropical drinks? No matter how old we get, I’m sure we all still get a little bit of those excitement butterflies in our stomach the night before, and the morning driving to the airport.
14. Aloe Vera On Burnt Skin
Congrats, you’re an idiot. You forgot to put on sunscreen, or thought that sitting out in the sun would allow you to get tan even though you know you burn to a crisp. Now you look like a tomato, or lobster, take your pick. (Even though it’s not good for our skin, we do it anyways) But the cool gel on our bright red skin, and being spread out on our on hotel beds, under the fan… it hurts, but feels pretty good.
15. Sandy Bathing Suits
It would be nice to go to the beach without bringing home half of the beach in our bathing suit. But then did you really go to the beach if you don’t get some sand in there?
16. Freckles
17. Getting Home From The Beach
Tanner skin, salty hair, and sandy bathing suits: you’ve had a successful beach day, and nothing feels better than stepping in the shower and washing it all away. (Unless you have sunburn, then good luck standing in the corner of the shower for a half hour.)
18. S'mores
19. Thunderstorms
Whether it's a summer shower and you're taking cover under the deck until the storm passes, or falling asleep to the rain tapping against the windows, the thunder crashing off into the distance, and the lightning brightening up the room; The relaxing sound of the rain, serves as a little break time, or music to rock you to sleep.
