Summer Has Officially Begun (At Least for Me)

Technically, summer hasn’t started yet. The calendar says there are still a few weeks to go.

But for me, summer officially began today.

My daughter came home from college.

This was the longest stretch we’ve gone without seeing each other. She didn’t come home for spring break this year, so by the time she pulled into the driveway today, it felt like it had been forever. There were suitcases to unpack, stories to catch up on, and that familiar feeling of the house suddenly being a little fuller.

As parents, we spend so many years counting down to summer. Summer vacation. Summer camps. Summer road trips. Summer memories.

Then one day, your kids grow up, and summer starts to look a little different.

As a mom of two grown children, I’ve learned that every season of parenting looks a little different. The worries change. The milestones change. The amount of time you get together changes too. Maybe that’s why I’ve come to appreciate these moments more than I did when they were younger. The ordinary days somehow feel a little more special now.

My daughter is finishing her sophomore year and heading into her junior year this fall. She attends school in Savannah, Georgia, pursuing her dream of working in film and one day becoming a director. Watching her build a life and chase something she’s passionate about is exciting, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bittersweet too.

The older they get, the less certain these summers become.

Next summer may look completely different. She could be working in Savannah, completing internships, or pursuing opportunities in her field. I truly hope she’ll be home again, but neither of us knows what next year will bring.

That’s why this summer feels a little more important.

Last summer was her first summer home from college. Like most college students, she had a busy social life, a boyfriend she was trying to make a long-distance relationship work with, and plenty of plans of her own. We spent time together, but not nearly as much as I would have liked.

This year feels different.

Maybe part of it is because life has felt a little heavier lately. Like most families, we’ve had our share of challenges, worries, and seasons that tested us. That’s probably why having my daughter home feels especially meaningful this year. Her laughter in the house, our conversations, and even the simple act of knowing she’s here has brought a sense of comfort I didn’t realize I needed.

The schedule is different.

Life is different.

And maybe that’s a gift.

There are no big plans yet. No elaborate itinerary. Just simple things I’m looking forward to: morning coffee on the deck, evenings by the pool, summer adventures, our annual Saco River trip, and having the chance to spend time together before life inevitably speeds up again.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that some of the best moments aren’t the big milestones. They’re the ordinary days that we don’t realize we’ll miss until they’re gone.

So while summer may not officially begin for a few more weeks, it has already started for me.

And this year, I’m going to do my best to soak up every minute of it.

This summer will bring camping trips, river floats, backyard evenings, and probably a few adventures I haven’t planned yet. But more than anything, I’m grateful for the chance to have my daughter home for a little while longer. Here’s to making the most of every moment.

Here’s to making the most of every moment.

Thanks for reading.

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