Relationships and Summertime: A Season for Building Lasting Connections

Summertime offers a unique opportunity for people to invest in relationships. With longer days, warmer weather, and more flexible schedules, summer becomes a natural space for deeper connection and renewed focus on the people who matter most. Friendships can grow, reconnect, or even begin during this season of openness and ease. Relationships exist in different rhythms of time and they are not a one-size-fits-all experience. People live their relationships through different patterns of time. True connection grows when people are present, authentic, and self-aware. Relationships thrive when they are mutual, when they allow for growth, and when they are rooted in both care and clarity. By being intentional with time, boundaries, and energy, individuals can create space for relationships that support not only connection, but also wholeness.

But strong connections are not just about others. Investing in relationships also means checking in with yourself. Who are you becoming in your connections? Are you present, authentic, and growing? Healthy relationships—whether with friends, family, or yourself—thrive when they are built with intention, mutual respect, and a sense of purpose. And while romance often gets the spotlight, friendships deserve just as much attention. Research shows that close friendships are essential to our mental and physical health. People with strong social connections tend to be more satisfied with their lives, less likely to face depression, and even live longer. On the flip side, loneliness and poor-quality relationships can increase the risk of early health problems.

 Research highlights three key ways in which individuals experience their friendships, and summertime creates room for all of them to unfold in meaningful ways.

1. Friendship in the Here and Now

This type of friendship is rooted in the present moment. It grows from shared, everyday experiences—spending time in gardens, chatting on porches, preparing meals together, or simply enjoying one another’s company in familiar places. These friendships often involve not just two individuals, but families, neighbors, and entire communities.

During summer, these relationships flourish naturally. Without the constraints of tightly scheduled days, people can linger longer, share spontaneous moments, and build familiarity through consistent, low-pressure interaction. In time, these friendships become woven into the daily landscape of life.

2. Friendship in Cyclical Time

Other relationships follow patterns. They are shaped by traditions, seasonal rituals, and repeated gatherings. These may include an annual beach trip, weekly outdoor dinners, or regular visits to a shared vacation spot. These traditions build structure and predictability into relationships, strengthening the emotional connection over time. I have a beach trip that coincides with my Dad’s summer meeting for his organization and I can remember from elementary school age going and interacting with my dad’s coworkers and their kids.

In the summer, people often return to these rhythms. As the same people come together year after year or week after week, their shared history expands. The past, present, and future become intertwined, and these friendships carry a sense of continuity and collective memory.

3. Friendship from the Past, Rekindled in the Present

Some friendships are anchored in memory and revived through special encounters. These long-standing relationships are often shaped by deep emotional bonds and shared history. Even after months or years apart, reconnecting can bring a powerful sense of closeness.

Summer is a time when many of these friendships are rekindled. A visit, a call, or a chance meeting can bring back the intensity and warmth of connection. These relationships may not be part of everyday life, but they remain significant, often held in quiet ways and remembered in meaningful moments.

Why Relationships Matter in Summer

Each type of relationship brings a different kind of value. Some offer a sense of belonging and everyday companionship. Others provide tradition and emotional grounding. Still others give people the opportunity to revisit meaningful connections from the past.

Summer allows individuals to slow down and become more intentional in how they build and maintain their relationships. Whether it is through regular time spent together, the return of long-standing rituals, or the revival of past connections, this season offers the ideal conditions for friendships to deepen and grow.

Relationships are essential to personal well-being and development. Investing in them during the summer can lead to stronger emotional bonds, lasting memories, and a greater sense of community. It is not about how much time is available, but how that time is used—with presence, openness, and care.