We all have our favorite seasons whether it be fall, winter, spring, autumn, or summer. We enjoy the leaves changing colors, the white snow on Christmas or a cold ice cream on a hot summer day. In my case, summer is the season I look forward to the most.

Sure summer means a break from classes, homework, and tests, but summer is more than just a vacation to me. Living in Chicago we get a short amount of hot weather to enjoy the lake life, tanning, and outside activities. Since it only lasts two to three months we feel the need to pack in all of our fun activities before the cold weather pops up on us. It gives us the chance to do more than winter activities and enjoy the outside life rather than being cooped up inside from the cold.

Summer is my favorite season because of many reasons, but the lake has to be my main reason. I have been a swimmer my whole life and the lake gives me the opportunity to swim and enjoy the outdoors all at the same time. Things such as water skiing, wake boarding, tanning, boating, fishing, scream my name. Anytime I get the chance to get over to the lake I am one of the first to get in the car.

Growing up, my parents had a cabin on lake Geneva. We would spend every weekend in the summer on our boat grilling, swimming, and making the most of our summer weekends. Following that, we would meet up with our fellow lake friends and go on adventures through the woods, make bonfires and play endless amounts of card games. These are the summer nights I will never forget as a kid.

While we had our cabin I always thought about swimming across Lake Geneva. It had always been a dream of mine, but I never thought I could actually do it. One day after a hearty breakfast I decided it was time so I put on my swim cap, tighten my goggles and start the swim. It took me about an hour and eight minutes to complete the swim, but I was happy to say that I had finally swum across lake Geneva. It was a childhood dream of mine that had finally become a reality.

Summer is what gave me this opportunity. Because of summer and warm weather, the ice melted and the lake was swimmable once again. It gave me the chance to fulfill a dream I have always wanted to accomplish and let me tell you it felt amazing. So to all the seasons that we get to enjoy living in this bi-polar of a state I am happy that summer is one of them.