Summer is a special season. There's just something about it that everyone loves. For some reason, everything seems better in the summer. My love affair with the season began at an early age, maybe it was the warmth or the carefree feeling that came with no school. Now, I'm convinced that it is a combination of many things that give summer that feeling that you just can't quite put your finger on. Here are 40 things that make summer, summer.

1. Ice cream cones

2. Thunderstorms

3. Grilling out

4. Laying by the pool

5. The combination of sand and salt water

6. Wildflowers

7. Sunshine

8. The smell of sunscreen

9. Fireworks

10. Picnics

11. Driving with the windows down

12. The Fourth of July

13. Bonfires

14. Late nights with friends

15. Freshly cut grass

16. Tank tops

17. Tan lines

18. Fireflies

19. Road trips

20. Fresh fruit

21. Flip flops

22. Concerts

23. Sangria

24. Front porch sitting

25. Freckles

26. Chlorine

27. Cool Instagramable Pool Floaties

28. The ocean

29. Palm trees

30. Sunsets

31. Water balloon fights

32. Reading time

33. Camping

34. Drinks with little umbrellas in them

35. S'mores

36. When it's 8:30 p.m. and still light outside

37. Fishing

38. A cool breeze

39. Baseball

40. State fairs