Every summer, we love doing a behind the scenes series to help y’all get to know us a little bit better. In honor of this year’s Summer Love theme, which is all about revisiting childhood adventures and sharing them with our beaus, we’re giving y’all a peek at what inspired the series to begin with–our own childhoods! Each week, you’ll hear from another SW gal about her best summer memories, favorite traditions, and early thoughts on weddings.
With my sisters! I’m in the middle.
Where did you grow up? Southeastern Connecticut–not in the South!
What were your childhood hobbies/favorite activities? Reading voraciously. Playing outside on our playground or in the woods behind our house (usually orphans!). Designing homes for my ponies and Beanie Babies. Riding bikes, playing with my American Girl doll (Felicity!), and drawing (almost always horses) rounded out the list.
What did you want to be when you grew up? My aunt owns a horse farm and gives riding lessons, and I 100% wanted to be her when I grew up. My sisters and I went riding there every chance we could get.
Tell us about a favorite summer vacation. Did your family go somewhere every year in the summer? Yes! My parents met while spending summers at their family cottages on a tiny island in Maine, so we stay there for at least a week (splitting time between the houses!) every July or August. There are no cars and no TVs, but there are rocks and tide pools and fields to explore. It is my favorite place in the world.
I’m in the foreground!
Did your family have any summer traditions? There was an amazing ice cream place about a half an hour from our house, and every summer they grew acres and acres of sunflowers, then sold them for charity. We’d always make a trip during their 1-2 week bloom, and it was always spectacular!
What food or meal most reminds you of your childhood? So many! Overall, Kraft macaroni and cheese is a strong contender, but if we’re specifically talking about summer options, I have to go with a good old hot dog grilled on our back deck. I don’t think I ate a hamburger until I was in college!
Did you ever get to be in a wedding when you were younger? When I was about 13 I got to pass out programs at my uncle’s wedding. While that was exciting, I always had a deep-seated desire to be a flower girl, and was a bit jealous of each of my friends who checked that box.
What did you think about weddings when you were younger? I can’t quite put my finger on why I loved them so much, but my enthrallment with weddings from a young age is well documented. My Mom and I used to sneak into our church’s balcony on Saturday afternoons to watch wedding ceremonies when I was as young as four! Needless to say, few people were surprised when I announced my job working at Southern Weddings :)
In case you missed a post…
Lisa’s childhood summers
Marissa’s childhood summers
Nicole’s childhood summers
Horses and hot dogs…yet more examples of how alike you and Lisa are!
Haha!!
I loved playing with my American Girl doll too haha! I also do not grow up in the south, but feel southern at heart.