It has been a long, dreary and cold winter in the Northeast that went out swinging with Winter storm Stella in mid-March. But within the past couple of weeks, Spring has finally sprung as we have had consistently Spring-type weather with not too cold of temperatures. The dreariness that accompanies Winter has finally dissipated allowing for a clearness and fresh start that seems to come with every Spring. There are many reasons to be excited for the arrival of the season, most of which are tied in some way, shape or form to the warming weather, yet they are exciting nonetheless.

The obvious reason to be excited is the warmer weather. It just makes you feel better when the weather is nice out and it is not too hot and not too cold, the perfect weather. It makes you want to get up and go, be outside and do something. Just standing outside in the sunlight gives you a newfound energy, let alone doing an activity in the sunlight. The warm weather gives you an excuse to be outside and go for a walk, sit in a park, and do other outdoor activities like playing sports, going out on a lake, bonfires, and sporting events like baseball. Warm weather makes everything more enjoyable as everything seems brighter and renewed.

Spring is also a time of rebirth. Nature is coming back to life from the dead of Winter and breathing life back into the planet. Flowers and tree buds are blooming painting the earth in a variety of color and grass is becoming even greener. All of the color from everything blooming and coming back to life is illuminated by the sunlight making everything seem richer and more vibrant after a long, cold and grey Winter.

Then there are the animals. In the Springtime, you see so many animals begin to start scurrying around again. Birds of all varieties can be seen flying around, while other woodland animals emerge from their long Winter’s nap. Every Spring for as long as I can remember, my grandma has always gotten excited about the return of the robins. Her favorite thing to do every Spring morning is to sit on her front porch swing with a cup of coffee and listen to the robins chirping.

My favorite part about Spring is being able to shed a couple layers of clothing and being able to wear more open shoes. I absolutely love not having to wear a heavy coat every single time I step outside, using my sunglasses and not having to wear socks and boots everyday. Spring means a lighter wardrobe with lighter clothes allowing me to be warmed by the sun. Feeling the sunlight hit your face, sunglasses firmly placed on your face, warming your entire body after a long winter is one of my favorite feelings in the entire world because there is absolutely nothing else like it. It is like being on the beach while being wrapped up in your favorite snuggly blanket after being in the freezing water. That is what Spring is. It is a time for hope, renewal, brightness and new beginnings. The tough times are over, there is (sun)light ahead.