Summer Plans & Bucket List

June makes my heart skip a beat! I have been so busy in some of the best ways over the last several weeks. I've had friends come and visit me every weekend, gone to two concerts, checked out new restaurants, found new running routes, and just stayed present. That's been a goal I've set for myself, as sometimes this anxious mind can get ahead of itself. As a teacher, this time of year is always exhausting, but nostalgic and exciting. I'm about to close out another year of learning with a silly group. I can't believe my fourth year in this profession is wrapping up. In some ways, it has been the longest journey of my life (LOL), but in other ways, I still feel like I'm 22, accepting my first teaching job with a sparkle in my eyes, ready to be the teacher we all needed growing up. Last year, I wanted to get out of teaching. This year, I got a little spark back, and I'm grateful for that. I'm not sure if it's my forever yet because there are so many things I still want to try and do, but I finally feel content. And god, there is truly no better feeling after feeling so lost the last two years. I'm staying present, and my last 8 days with these kids are going to be special.

Onto the summer bucket list because I think I'm about to have the best summer of my life :')

If you've read my last few blog posts, you know that I went through it a little bit in the first stretch of this year. I'm in a headspace now where I want to just love on my people, travel, and do me.

2026 Summer Plans & Bucket List

1. TRAVEL

   • A silly, long weekend in NYC with Sadie (the annual episode where she tries to convince me to move there...basically works every time)

   • My Europe trip <3

     • 2 weeks in Italy turned into me adding another week to travel to Portugal.

     • I'm so excited I could cry, and I will (so many times).

   • VA beach for our sweet bride, Kayleigh

2. Try one new restaurant a week in Arlington/DC when I'm home.

3. Spend more intentional time with myself. Go out to dinner by myself.

4. Go to the movies by myself (I've already done this and it is so magical, but it's been a while since I've gone).

5. Read 3-5 books.

6. Take LOTS of pictures. Especially with the dinky digital camera I bought off Amazon last week. Yes, it's cheap and pink, and I love her with all I've got.

7. Write.

8. Say yes to any adventure that pops up along the way. As small as going out with my friends last minute (this is my first full summer in my city, I have to!), or a trip that presents itself. I want a summer of "yes".

   
   

There's not a whole lot to it. But I've been trying to be more intentional and present in my life lately. It is beyond harder than it sounds, but it's something that has given me a little glow that I have started to love about myself. I have this feeling that the next two months are going to be magic. Cheers y'all! It's a summer of love, I feel it and I know it.

Just definitely pray for me to get through the last week and a half of elementary school chaos.