I used to love fall 

The crispness, the rain

Staying cozy and eating warm things instead of going and doing pretty much anything

But suddenly fall doesn't sound so great

I already miss the smell of dust and pines 

The sound of frogs and crickets

And shots ringing through the mountains

Tangled fishing lines

And piles of goldfish crackers

Becoming family on long drives narrated by country songs

Road trips with animals, oceans, and candy shops

Braiding hair and buying best friend necklaces

Boxes of pictures and old stories told into the night

Digging beauty out of a hillside to keep for later

Sweet tea and whiskey

The warm wind in my hair and dirt on my face

His arms around me as the stars twinkle and only we exist

Sunsets painted in colors that look different when you hear "I love you" under them for the first time

I'm not sure anything will ever trump

This summer 

Because it's when I came alive and fell into our forever