In the Middle of Summer

Somewhere between tan lines and teacher visits.

We’re a little over halfway through the summer. I know this because the tan lines on my feet are forming in such a way that, in about a month, it’ll look like I’m always wearing shoes. Every summer, I commit to one pair of sandals, and by the end of August, it appears as though I never take them off.

This summer, I wanted to slow down, stay put, and focus on noticing the small things that bring me joy each day. I kept thinking about the summers of my youth—how each day felt like a gift, even though we rarely went anywhere beyond the Saint Croix River, just a twenty-minute drive from my house. The highlight of a long day might have been a bike ride to get ice cream.

So far this summer, I’ve watched an excellent summer storm roll in with friends, complete with a flicker of our power. I’ve eaten copious amounts of ice cream and some perfectly grilled meats. I’ve found the ideal water toy for my boys—and one that’s fun for me too: reusable water balloons. I’ve taken long, hot walks and crashed into deep summer naps on the couch after reading approximately three sentences of a book.

And I’ve realized how little it takes for me to feel full, happy, and content, which was the goal.

I’ve been giving myself a little break from writing to have some more space for reflection. I’ve paused the constant travel to be more present in the everyday rhythm of life. And honestly, it’s been really, really good. Go figure—less is more. And it’s something I hope to carry with me as we all begin to return to the familiar drumbeat of routine.

Yesterday, I got a taste of that “normal” life again when I took my son to meet his new teachers at school. Walking through the building in the middle of summer gave me that familiar, nostalgic feeling—how school out of season always felt like a foreign place, like you weren’t supposed to be there. And yet, somehow, it also made me feel ready for what’s next—and even more committed to holding on to the slowness I’ve been savoring in the meantime.

Back in the spring, I wrote that I felt like a snake swallowing a whole egg—rushed and stretched too thin. Today, I slowly ate a peach at my desk and even set it down a few times just to enjoy it. It’s not nothing. It feels like growth.

I realize I’ve been putting my feet on here a lot lately…is it getting kind of weird? Perhaps I’ll start paywalling my feet pics. Either way, by August, these babies will be fully formed.

Drop a heart if you enjoyed.