In 10 days, I’ll be toeing the line at the 41st annual Grandma’s Marathon along with over 8,000 other runners. That means, with each passing moment, my anxiety is notching up another level. I can find countless things to worry about and obsess over, even more than usual. So instead of writing about my worries leading up to the race, I have decided to shift my focus. I realized that the month of June is pretty great for more reasons than just this one race. The other 29 days of the month have much to offer as well. With that said, here are 6 reasons why I love June.
End of School: Kids everywhere are marking their last day of school with triumphant shouts of joy! Just like the song says, “School’s out for summer!”. Even though it’s been a long time since I have celebrated the end of the school year with the same enthusiastic spirit, I have carried those fond memories with me. How fun was it to clean out your desk and locker and load up your bookbag one final time for the year? Who can forget that industrial cleaning smell that hung in the air after everyone wiped down their desks and surfaces? And how about “Chef’s Choice” on the lunch menu? Afterall, it wasn’t only the desks that needed to be emptied out before summer. The last day of school was often a daylong party full of laughter, outright silliness, and making plans for the summer. I was lucky to live close to many of my childhood friends, so instead of saying goodbye, we simply made plans to hang out the next day. June meant the start of summers in small town Elgin, and I recall them with much affection.
Good Weather for Outdoor Activity: As Minnesotans, we all know that summers here are beautiful but way too short. Once the April showers move out and the warm weather moves in after (but never on) Memorial Day, we are fully ready to get busy enjoying our nice weather when the calendar flips to June. Then, it’s pack in as much outdoor activity you can while it all lasts. Enjoy being outside in shorts and a t-shirt. Float down the river or on a lake. Take a bike ride. Walk in the park. Explore the great outdoors and all the wonderful nature we have in this beautiful state.
Festivals Galore!: How great is festival season?! Seemingly every city or county in the state has one, and my small hometown is no exception. Elgin Cheese Days is still going strong, though the town hasn’t made cheese in decades. That doesn’t stop everyone from coming together for a big celebration the third weekend in June every year. Now, I don’t always make it back home for this annual event, as it almost always falls the same weekend as the marathon that we aren’t focussing on right now. However, when I do, it’s always a joy to run into old classmates and friends and see the town come alive with softball tournaments, a carnival, concerts, and, of course, a parade.
In Minneapolis, there’s a festival every weekend and everything gets underway in June. There are art fairs, outdoor concerts, beer fests, county fairs, and countless other celebrations to mark the city’s rich and diverse culture. Did I mention the farmer’s markets, boat cruises, water-ski shows, and bike tours? You truly don’t need to go far to find entertainment and enjoyment, making our city and state staycation worthy.
Father’s Day: I am lucky enough to have a fantastic father who is truly worth honoring on this special day. Whether we get to spend the day together or not, I love finding special ways to acknowledge my dad and all that he means to me. I also have a pretty great father-in-law, so this holiday is quite significant for me and my husband. It’s important to us that we make sure our dads know how much we love them and how much we appreciate all they do for us.
Baseball Season is in Full Swing (pun intended)!: By the time June rolls around, teams have hopefully worked out the kinks in their lineup and have started to work together cohesively. With any luck, they have a strong starting rotation, are getting hits and scoring runs while avoiding errors, and are keeping themselves alive with hopes for a post-season. For us fans, it’s finally nice enough to sit at the outdoor ballpark and enjoy America’s pastime without multiple layers. We can, at long last, enjoy a cold beverage as we bask in the summer sunshine. We can leisurely enjoy our food instead of hastily consuming it before it gets cold. It really doesn’t get much better than baseball in June at Target Field.
Family Birthdays: Some pretty special people in my life celebrate birthdays in June. The month always ends with my brother’s big day on the 27th followed by my mom’s on the 30th. Now that I think of it, my little brother will be celebrating a milestone birthday this year. How can I litter his lawn in London with pink flamingos to mark the occasion…..???
So there you have it. There is so much more to love about June than just Grandma’s Marathon. I feel so relaxed and peaceful and I have enjoyed this little distraction. Here’s hoping you all have a great month. I will, of course, let you know how the race goes next Saturday! #gmas17 here I come!