thanks for summer nights

Summer nights are beautiful.  Magical.  The way the warm air lingers just a little bit longer.  The way the stars shine a little bit brighter, the way smiles are a little bit bigger.

Summer nights are bowling with some friends even though you're lucky to hit mid 80s.

Summer nights are laughing loud with your best friend and not minding who's listening.

Summer nights are a group of baseball guys huddled a few tables over, dirt-covered knees and broke-in caps.

Summer nights are catching one of them glancing at you and turning away, cheeks turning bubblegum pink.

Summer nights are sunroofs open and windows down and never feeling so alive.

Summer nights are singing at the top of your lungs and drumming the steering wheel like you know what you're doing.

Summer nights are racing with Shan without going immorally over the speed limit.

Summer nights are winding backroads and porch lights on and being proud to be from the country.

Summer nights are a Scotty McCreery song stuck in your head, playing like a soundtrack to your heart.

Summer nights are laying in your bed staring up at the ceiling, remembering how good you've got it.

Thanks, God.  For summer nights.