As the warm sun beams down on my skin, I am reminded of all the summers that have come and gone. But there is one tradition that I hold close to my heart, one that has become a family favorite. It's strawberry picking season.
For the past three years, whether we were in California or South Carolina, my husband, daughter and I have made it a point to visit the local strawberry fields. It's simple, really. We take a basket and fill it with the sweetest, juiciest strawberries we can find. It is the one thing we can bet on that she will eat.
The air is filled with the scent of freshly picked berries, and our fingers are dyed red with the juice. As we walk through the fields, hand in hand, I am reminded of the first time we did this. My daughter had just turned one years old, and the strawberries were almost as big as her hands. She was so excited, and we ended up with more strawberries than we knew what to do with.
As we make our way back to the car, our baskets full, I can't help but feel grateful for this tradition we have started. It marks the beginning of a new season and reminds us to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
As I drive home with the windows down, the sweet smell of strawberries fills the air. And although I know this tradition will continue for years to come, I can't help but wonder what traditions my daughter will start with her own family one day.
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