Last month my husband and I put up a gazebo on our back deck. I’ve since decorated it with colorful flowers and comfortable chairs. It’s the perfect place to sit and visit with friends or read a book and take pleasure in the outdoors.

This got me thinking about summer memories. When we were kids, my parents had a big group of friends who loved to get together on the big summer holidays. My childhood buddies were always around for these parties. We’d spend the day pool hopping around the neighborhood, eating hamburgers and getting into mischief when the sun went down. We kicked off the summer with a big blast, then ended it with another party before school started.

As I got older, we’d take trips. Camping in a pop up, which I have to say was not a family favorite, after we went away exactly one time. After that, we’d stick to hotels. When friends rented a house on the beach, that became a hangout. We’d swim all day, then sit by the fire at night, making s’mores.

When my husband and I got married and the girls came along, the summer was a blast, especially July 4th when we would watch fireworks. Or we’d head over to Daytona for a long weekend at the beach, watching the cars drive along the sand.

I’m sure you have favorite summer memories. Thinking about them makes me grateful for the family I grew up in. For great friends I still keep in touch with today. For the memories I continue to share with my children.

I hope you enjoy every minute of this summer. It can be as simple as a family cookout or a day on the boat, but no matter what you do, you’ll have great stories to tell one day. It doesn’t take much, just hanging out with those we love, doing what we love, which is usually being together.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance, STEALING HER BEST FRIEND’S HEART, available  AUGUST 2021 . For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.