This summer feels a little different in the best way.
For the first time in a while, I feel like I have something exciting on the horizon that I can actually see coming. In just a few months, our baby will be here!
Between now and then, Milton and I have one last summer to enjoy as husband and wife before we become Mom and Dad.
That thought fills me with a lot of emotions, but mostly gratitude.
A very important question keeps coming to mind, though…
How do I make sure I don’t spend so much time preparing for November (my due date) that I accidentally miss June, July, and August?
I don’t want to rush through this season just because I’m excited about the next one.
So instead of creating a giant summer bucket list or filling every weekend with plans, I’ve been thinking about what a sane summer might look like.
Not a productive, perfectly planned out summer.
Just a good one.
One that leaves room for joy, rest, preparation, and whatever unexpected adventures show up along the way.
Giving Myself Room to Breathe
As an autistic person, I’ve learned that I do best with some structure.
I don’t want to spend the summer following a rigid schedule, but I also don’t want to completely wing it. Somewhere in the middle feels right.
A few predictable anchors throughout the week (like time with God, baby prep, writing, church, and date nights with Milton) are enough to help me feel grounded without making every moment feel planned.
I’ve noticed that when I have a little structure, I’m actually able to enjoy the spontaneous moments more.
Mornings With God
One thing I want to protect this summer is quiet time with God.
Now, I’m typically not a morning person, but recently I’ve been waking up earlier and starting my day with a fresh cup of Jesus.
Life is only going to get busier from here, and I’ve found that everything feels a little more manageable when I start my day with prayer, Scripture, and a few moments of stillness.
Having a little space to connect with God before emails, errands, appointments, and responsibilities begin competing for my attention feels like a good practice to carry into this next season of life.
Enjoying Being Husband and Wife
One of the things I’ve been looking forward to this summer is spending intentional time with Milton.
Not because we’re losing our relationship once the baby arrives. Quite the opposite.
We’re growing our family.
And this season is unique.
Right now, we can decide at 7 p.m. that we want ice cream and leave the house five minutes later. We can spend a Saturday morning wandering through a thrift store. We can stay out a little later than planned or take a spontaneous drive somewhere.
Those little freedoms won’t disappear forever, but they will look different.
So I want to enjoy them.
More date nights.
More conversations and laughter.
More memories with my favorite person.
Preparing for Baby Without Making It My Entire Personality
This one might be the hardest.
There is always something baby-related that could be researched, purchased, organized, or planned.
Trust me, the internet has made that very clear.
And while preparation is important, I don’t want every conversation, weekend, and thought to revolve around baby checklists.
The registry will get finished and the hospital bag will eventually get packed.
I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t have to do everything today.
A little progress each week is more than enough.
The Summer I’m Hoping For
When I picture the next few months, I don’t picture a packed calendar.
I picture a season I don’t want to rush through.
A season filled with sunshine, slower mornings, meaningful conversations, and small moments of preparation.
A season where I spend intentional time with God.
A season where Milton and I enjoy being husband and wife.
A season where I continue writing and doing the things that make me feel like myself.
A season where I prepare for what’s coming without rushing through what’s here.
Because one day, I’ll look back and realize this was the summer before our baby arrived.
And when I do, I hope I remember more than to-do lists.
I hope I remember the joy, the anticipation, and how exciting it felt to stand on the edge of a brand-new chapter.
And most of all, I hope I remember that I gave myself permission to enjoy the season I was in while it was here.
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