As the days stretch long and the sun lingers, there's a particular kind of magic over summer, from the first ray of morning sun to the soft glow of twilight. It gives me a feeling rooted in nostalgia, often carrying echoes of my childhood memories. This summer, I want to intentionally recreate those simple but magical Summer experiences. No elaborate plans or expensive getaways required, true summer joy is found in the small, unhurried moments that nourish our souls and rekindle our spirits.
Morning | Slow & Sweet
Childhood Memory: Slow summer mornings were my favorite growing up. You can sleep until the sun wakes you and there’s no rush to eat breakfast and get dressed right away. I would enjoy my favorite cereal or my momma’s homemade pancakes and let the summer sun inspire me as I dreamed up what to do that day!
How I’m Bringing It Back: No alarms will be set for summer weekends! I’ll be celebrating every Friday morning with homemade pancakes and listening to my favorite summer songs from the 90s and 2000s while I get ready! I’ll also spend time writing down my dreams and wishes for the day ahead.
Afternoon | Play & Spontaneity
Childhood Memory: Not knowing what the day holds was part of the fun during summer growing up. Some days you got to visit your favorite cousins, on others you lounged around the pool, went on shopping trips, or just stayed inside with the AC on watching your favorite film.
How I’m Bringing It Back: Spontaneous summer fun will be encouraged! Any opportunity to play in the sprinklers, have a pool day, or get out and away from screens (and to-do lists) will be taken! Couch potato days will also be allowed, because not every day has to be “productive” to be well spent. Saying “yes” to taking time to do things that will delight my inner child as I share those experiences with my own children, too! You can find me playing mermaids, writing stories, gazing up at clouds to find familiar shapes, and laughing until I can’t catch my breath!
Evening | Sunset & Stories
Childhood Memory: Summer evenings are a magic all their own. The fun isn’t over once the sun sets; staying up late is part of the beauty of summer break. Roasting marshmallows by the fire pit, telling spooky stories, midnight swims, and sharing secrets — no wonder we never wanted summer to end!
How I’m Bringing It Back: Bedtime will be more relaxed so the fun can keep going! Since we don’t have a fire pit, we make our s’mores in the oven, and we have living room sleepovers and watch AFV until we can’t keep our eyes open anymore!
