Summertime Can Stay

September is creeping up on us.  Kids everywhere are picking out backpacks, finding out if their friends are in their classes with them, and even, for the very unlucky ones, already beginning school.  I know this is occurring but I’m over here in my own happy world content to be in denial about it all.

I hear it all the time – on instagram, facebook, from friends, and even news reporters – the four little words “I’m ready for fall.”  They shock me every time I hear them because I’m certainly not ready for fall.

A portion of the reason I’m clinging to summertime is, I’m sure, the fact that I live in the Pacific Northwest.  Summertime doesn’t start here until the 4th of July and, this year, started even later.  I feel as though summer is only beginning and everyone else is ready for it to leave.  I know that the moment fall begins we’re back to rain, rain, and more rain for months on end.

The other reason I’m holding onto summer with all my might is that this summer has been one of the best ones I’ve had in a really, really long time!  During college, summertime was heading home and working, far from friends, with no one to adventure with.  Once Nate and I were married, summertime was a continuation of his schooling – he had his nose stuck in a book while I wanted to get out in the sunshine.  And last summer, well, let’s just say Caleb’s done a 180 on how he feels about outside.  He used to hate nature and now we have to do all we can to keep him inside for even a portion of the day.

This summer Nate’s had true days off, Caleb loves being outdoors, we have babysitters for when we’re doing adventures that Caleb is still too little for, and it’s been amazing!  I don’t want summertime to end because I don’t want this season of wonder to end.  Fall, stay away.  I want to bask in the sunshine a little bit longer!