Summertime has always been the one constant that has provided my soul with absolute happiness every single year. Ever since I was a child, I have always had a love for warmer weather and every aspect of summertime.

I was fortunate enough to spend my childhood summers outside. From seven in the morning until ten at night, I was riding my bike, skateboard, or whatever type of wheels I could get my hands on all over my neighborhood with the local group of kids. We spent countless hours exploring nature, making up new games, and playing every sport known to mankind. We all cringed at the thought of school starting in just three short months.

Although I have always had a deep love for this time of year, I did not realize just how essential summertime would become to my life until much more recently. Throughout high school and now college, summertime is my escape from reality-- my one chance to recharge and step away from the stress of my life. Aside from working as much as possible to wrack up money for the upcoming semester, summertime represents carefree living. It gives me a chance to do what I love most--be at one with nature and the outdoors.

My summers are spent on the beaches of Florida, in the mountains of North Georgia, or exploring the eastern parts of Long Island. For me, the outdoors is the one place where I feel free and at peace with the world (not to sound like Ghandi, but it's true)! There is nothing better than watching the sun sink below the horizon on the beach with a bunch of friends. I find that the best way to clear my mind is to waste a bit of time watching the ocean continuously kiss the shoreline or find a mountain creek to drop a fishing line in. There is nothing better than spending time out in the sun: surfing, kayaking, swimming, or just tanning on the beach.

The summers also give me a chance to visit family and travel. Three months of no school allows for the perfect opportunity to explore this vast and diverse world. Hopefully one day I will be able to embark on my own "The Endless Summer" and chase summertime around the Earth all year long. One can dream, right?

When the leaves start to fall, I feel like I am losing a part of my soul. The time of year that makes me feel like myself is ending, and with that, it is back to real life. The other seasons have some great things that come along with them, but nothing will ever compare to the undying love I have for the summertime and everything it represents.

Until next year, summertime.