Summer is so close you can practically smell the suntan lotion and roasting asphalt. One of my favorite seasons is almost here, and I'm looking forward to all of the things that make it so memorable. Because I know you're all dying for another list, here are the top five things that will instantly make you think of summer.

1. Country Music

Growing up in a small town in America's Midwest means you're born and raised on country music, especially in the summertime. There is nothing that sets the tone of a day out on the lake like Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Kelly Pickler. Part of me believes country music is the vocal embodiment of summer because a lot of summer is about lifting people's spirits after a long harsh winter, and having a genuinely good time. For me, country music is the only station I listen to when I camp at the beach.

2. The Smell of Chlorine and Lake Water

Living on a lake is a true privilege. Even being able to go to a public beach that is clean in the Twin Cities is a privilege, which was something I learned very quickly when I moved here. This may be the land of ten thousand lakes, but let me tell you how rare it actually is to be able to spend your entire summer break on a lake front. So blessed be the pools, the public pools, the private pools, and even the indoor pools because they are saviors.

3. The Smell of Freshly Cut Grass

Do I really have to say anything more?

4. Summer Sports

Baseball, softball, soccer... the list goes on. As a kid, my parents put me through almost every sport that our local recreation center had a program for. This led to a lot of my summer mornings, days, and evenings being spent on a field of some sort. I have a lot of fond summer memories of practicing my throwing, catching, or footwork with my siblings in our front yard.

5. Bonfires

Hosing yourself down with Deep Woods Off bug spray isn't the most ideal perfume to wear on a warm summer night, but when you're sitting around a bonfire with friends or family, it's the only perfume you need. The thing I love most about campfires and bonfires is that they've been bringing people together for years and they will continue to do so. Roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over an open flame while someone tells a funny story is an enjoyable experience. Bonfires are a way for people to gather together and have a good time in the company of the people closest to them, which is what summer is all about.

Summer is my absolute favorite season and the more I think about how excited I am to experience it, the easier it is to study (now that I can see the finish line). I have some amazing memories of the summers I've already lived through, and I'll be looking to create just as many this coming summer.