Wisdom & Wealth:

Our Summer Outlook

What are you hoping to do (or not do) this summer? This month, it’s less about a packed plan, more about intentional choices—travel, rest, personal growth, family time.

What am I hoping not to do this summer? Let me give you the basic college student answer: take another exam!

Don’t get me wrong, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend Virginia Tech. I enjoy going to football games, walking around campus, and learning new material in my classes. However, saying that I enjoy taking exams would definitely be an overstatement.
Now for something more positive: this summer, I am doing exactly what I hoped to be doing.

Going into the summer, I wanted to intern at a financial planning firm that truly puts its clients first. At Hess Financial, I have experienced firsthand the care and dedication that every team member brings to serving clients and helping them achieve their goals. And no, this is not a paid advertisement. 😊

I did my travel earlier this summer…I spent a few days visiting my youngest sister in Oregon and then a few more sharing a beach house with 10 friends from high school.

For the rest of the summer, I hope to spend just enjoying our beautiful valley: biking, walking, gardening, reading on my front porch glider or backyard swing, and maybe a little kayaking. The last few years have had a lot going on, so slowing things down for a season will make a welcome change!

I know that Thanksgiving is still several months away, but this summer, I would like to intentionally embrace a sense of thankfulness and appreciation for the important people who inspire me, motivate me, and expect the best from me. I’m truly thankful for all of this.

These people include the professionals I get to work with and learn from every day, my cycling friends who keep me fit and feeling alive, my German-speaking partners who model patience and perseverance, and, of course, my family (and cat) who support me through all of life’s challenges.

Personal strength and a “can-do” attitude are great qualities, but it is hard to underestimate just how important others can be in our lives. This summer, I want to show more appreciation for this.

This summer, I’m hoping to take advantage of the longer days and spend a lot of time with friends and family. While I generally try to avoid the heat, I’m definitely going to be spending loads of time outside in the evenings. Unfortunately for me, I’m a bit of a mosquito magnet, but I’m already prepared with tons of bug spray and citronella to defend myself!

Some of my favorite summer activities these days are hanging out at fiddlers’ conventions, hammock camping (yes, with a bug net), small hikes (my favorite spot might be Bearfence), kayaking, and occasionally going fishing. My biggest trip this summer is going to be to the Appalachian String Band Music Festival, better known as Clifftop, way out in West Virginia. It will be my third year attending, and I’m excited to make some new friends, learn new tunes, and do my best to avoid the ticks and mosquitoes.

My wife and I packed in a couple of trips in the Spring, and most recently came back from a little West Coast road trip. We flew into San Francisco and drove up the coast to Portland, and had a phenomenal time visiting friends and exploring a beautiful part of the country. We did this knowing that our summer would be more about laying low with my knee surgery scheduled to fix a soccer injury (recovery is going well!).

Outside of a few family gatherings and weddings, my summer is going to be focused on bouncing back and getting back to my normal self. Thankfully, I’ve had the World Cup to help pass the time.

This year, I’m really feeling the truth that time flies. I know everyone can probably relate to this, but this year I’m trying to be intentional, try new things, explore new places, and enjoy as much of the warm summer sun as I can.

Of course, the family beach trip is always on the itinerary and a highlight of the summer, but I’ve also gotten to play a few games of pickleball, and surprisingly, I’ve moved beyond being just the golf cart driver to now trying my hand at playing golf myself. It’s definitely still a work in progress, so any tips are appreciated!

More than anything, I’m looking forward to challenging myself, making memories, and slowing down enough to enjoy the simple moments, whether that’s reading a good book or watching the sunset at the end of the day.

This summer, I’m focusing less on filling every weekend with plans and more on being intentional with my time. While I’m looking forward to family adventures and making memories with my kids, I’ve already checked one exciting item off my list—I trekked through my first cave this summer! It was a fun reminder that some of the best experiences happen when we step outside our comfort zones and embrace something new.

For most of my life, I’ve been someone who is constantly on the go; juggling responsibilities, showing up for others, and keeping a full calendar. This summer feels different. For perhaps the first time ever, I’m intentionally embracing a season of slowing down. I’m learning that rest is just as important as productivity and that creating space for myself isn’t something to feel guilty about.