{the space between spring and summer}

i remember, vividly, the year i put down my barbie dolls and discovered books. i had a pile of vintage, hardcover nancy drew books that i collected from summer tag sales with my mom. i loved getting up on the weekend mornings and driving from tag sale to tag sale. you'd see everything from gorgeous pale victorian style nightgowns to a box with stuffed animals someone outgrew. i'd search for the books. almost always, there were babysitter's club or sweet valley high. i had hearts in my eyes and i'd hand over a dollar for a whole box of stories and adventures and mysteries. my parents were divorced at the time. i brought some of my books over my dad's house. at the time, i started to fall in love with floral print and white wicker and perfume and florals. my closet was big enough to lay down and read a book. i'd leave the door open because my window was right by there. i'd read my books in the closet being so content. i made it my own little cozy nook. it's important, even as you grow into an adult to have those little havens. those havens you run to for sleep or reading or writing.


i'll always think of that year, that beautiful time between spring and summer when it smells so sweet outside and all the blossoms are on the trees. when the sun feels just right on your skin. i had a bicycle with a flower basket and would spend hours riding in my grandparents' driveway or exploring the backyard. i'd write about the trees or the tiny stream. it felt like an uncharted wonderland. i felt like an adventuress. i felt safe and i felt warm. i had my books, i had my little nook. i read anne of green gables. i had my tag sales with my mom and i had my dad. i remember that year. that year, that season i discovered books. that beautiful space of time between spring and summer.