Summertime. In Northern Virginia, summers are about days of adventure and nights dancing with fireflies. It’s about finding new favorite things and places in an area of endless Tom Sawyer choices; about afternoon thunderstorms, farm days and fishing trips. From kayaking to Washington, D.C. tour stops, the break in the humdrum days of work and school make for magic moments and memorable explorations. Summertime in NOVA is about resetting the kid inside, decompressing the adult and opening up to a world of fun. It’s about reconnecting to the things you love to do more than anything, on any day.

That’s why we call this annual list the Summer of Love. And for 12 years, the summer of love has been making summer special for kids and families in the greater Gainesville and Haymarket area. It may be hot. It may get humid. But doing these things makes us remember what it is we love to do the most. Check out our Summer of Love section, and reconnect with summertime loves.

Christina Chee is a lifestyle and real estate consultant who loves to share insights that help others to live happy and empowered lives in Northern Virginia. Learn more about how you can make your Northern Virginia experience a great adventure — whether you’re new to the region or a life-long resident. Contact her here or visit www.virginialifestyles.com.