There is something about changing the wreath on the front door that makes a new season feel official.

After Memorial Day has passed and the unofficial beginning of summer has arrived, I love the simple ritual of welcoming the season right at the doorstep. This year, my summer wreath feels especially cheerful, bright, and inviting. With the flowers and bright colors, it’s like my own daily reminder that summer is here while welcoming me home.

June has a way of opening the door in more ways than one. The days are longer, the pace feels a little lighter, and there is a renewed sense of possibility – and fun! It is the season of travel plans and porch sitting, fresh recipes and family traditions, meaningful conversations and small moments that remind us to slow down and enjoy what is right in front of us.  This month’s issue carries that same spirit of welcome and discovery.

We will travel near and far through Destination Diaries, with Lori taking us to Iceland, Karen sharing the South of France and Switzerland, and Allison inviting us to think more intentionally about the way we plan and experience travel. In my A Time to Bloom article, “Wander & Wonder: Travel as Soul Care,” I’ll be reflecting on how stepping away from the familiar can refresh not only our routines, but also our hearts.

June also brings us back to the table with recipes and traditions that feel perfect for summer gathering. Sandy shares John’s Classic Martini, Kiya brings us Coconut Cake and an Espresso Martini, Lori offers Tomato-Sausage Lasagna, Gino shares Gino’s Soup, and Nelson brings us Arroz de Pollo. These are the kinds of features that celebrate more than food and drink; they celebrate the memories, people, and stories that gather around them.

You will also find thoughtful articles about connection, confidence, and the seasons of life we all move through from Kiya’s “Hockey Moms Unite – The Importance of Women on Your Kids’ Teams” and Karen’s “Why Social Media Suddenly Feels So Exhausting,” to Nicole’s “Who Are Your Nine People?” and Kiya’s “When Did We Stop Being Beginners? Fear, Comfort Zones, and Starting Again Later in Life.” Susan also offers a faith-filled reflection in “When Suddenly Invades Your Ordinary,” reminding us that even ordinary days can hold unexpected meaning. We are also looking forward to Book Club with Becky this month, with the featured selection a surprise for now – another chance to gather, reflect, and connect through a good story.

As we welcome June, I hope this issue feels a little like that wreath on the front door – warm, colorful, inviting, and full of possibility – and a little bit of fun. May it encourage you to open the door to summer with curiosity, gratitude, and a willingness to savor the season ahead. 

Be Encouraged, Be Empowered, Be Inspired – Be Unconditionally YOU!

  “And so, with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees… I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
 F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby