The older I get, the more I appreciate each season yet the more I long for summer. When I was a kid I thought I would never grow up, and now that I am 27, I wonder where all those years went! That has inspired me to soak up each day, each season, and each year. But there is something about summer – something about it that makes me sad to see it go every year.

It may have something to do with the fact that my summers will never be the same that they were the first 22 years of my life – filled with adventures, sleeping in, summer camp, family time, crafts, lazy wednesdays, summer jobs (that provided extra cash,) and general freedom. Now I work full time and I have the last four years. I work the same job during the school year and into the summer. The change in season is as dramatic as Fall – Spring was growing up. They all come and go before I know it.

I want summer to stay the same. To be filled with a giant 10 week break from work – to focus on other things, to soak up the sun, and to find new adventures. but that is not my life anymore.

I think every year that fact makes it harder for me to say goodbye to summer. I still find time for adventures and the longer days allow for dinner in the sunshine & help with my Chaco tan but I always want just a little more time.

This year to end the summer with a bang, we had a Garden Party. I have some of the best friends ever and I just love how intentional they are! The rule was you have to make something from your own garden or from someone else’s garden (aka the farmers market!) I was so proud of the harvests that these girls made in their backyards this summer and it made me excited for the day when I have a yard to grow things in too (Side Note: Next summer I am totally going to try to do a Townhome Garden. I’m inspired & excited.)

Because you have to find those little things of summer to cultivate – like tending the garden when you come home from a long day at work, or  backyard dinners with friends, or Saturday hike trips, or mini-vacations, or family pool parties, or ice cream making sprees.

So here is to a summer well lived and here is to an autumn yet to be experienced!