I’m not sure if it’s because of my age, or because of how much I truly enjoyed the summers in my childhood, but every time the summer season rolls around, I feel an all-encompassing sense of peace. I take my mind back to the last day of school and the excitement my brother and I shared for a few months of nothing but playing outside. We would wake up early, stay outside all day, and stay up late at night. Over and over for those never-long-enough summer months.

What would make those summer days even more special was the presence of our parents. Dad would pick us up and take us for lunch. Mom would plan one or two trips to the big waterpark an hour away. We spent time with each other — our core family unit, but my brother and I also spent time with our friends. There was no shortage of innocence, fun, and feeling like there were no worries in the world. Maybe that’s another reason why I can’t help but enjoy the summer season. I think back to those times where the only responsibilities were keeping my room clean.

Although both of my parents have since passed away, and my brother and I have our own lives, I still feel those familiar summer feelings. Only now, I feel them with my “new” family. In other words, my fiancé and our two dogs. Even with life as an adult, I still do my best to bring back those childhood memories of peace and hope. My fiancé and I made our backyard into a fern gully of sorts! We have chimes, flowers, plants and a water fountain. Just sitting outside, the breeze blowing, the chimes humming, and the nostalgic fragrances of the flowers, makes me feel like a kid again. Of course, the Texas sun doesn’t allow us to stay outside too long, but just long enough to get my fix!

I try my best to make my adult summers feel as familiar as my childhood summers. A local park opened a few years ago and I walk every morning. I get views of the Texas limestone and wildflowers, along with the summer sounds of cicadas and birds chirping. It reminds me of when my brother and I were too little to stay home alone during the summer and spent our time at a summer daycare. We always spent time outside with the same limestone rocks, wildflowers, and cicadas.

Another thing I like to do during the summertime is indulge in movies and shows that I watched in childhood. Now, I’m not talking about cartoons! But shows about family, friends, and relationships that always brought good feelings when watched. I may sneak away on a lunch break to catch an episode. Or, if there’s nothing to do on a lazy Sunday, I’ll turn on an old movie.

If you can’t tell by now, I’m doing my best to preserve my inner child. The inner child who had a love of the summertime spent with family. The now-adult who still loves summertime, only now spends it with her new family. If and when I have my own children, I’ll do my best to make summer a magical time for them — just like it was a magical time for me. If children aren’t in the cards for me, I’ll still nurture my inner child with that same summertime nostalgia! I just can’t get those wonderful feelings in any other season.

When the summer season comes along, what feelings does it bring you? I hope your summers feel familiar, and the time spent with family is everything you hope it to be!