John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, in their iconic roles as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in the hit movie Grease, reminded us there are a million reasons to love summer, not the least of which is falling in love…and “oh oh those summer nights.” Together, they “went strollin’ and drank lemonade, stayed out till 10 o’clock” and, well…you know the rest. Bottom line, they soaked up every ounce of their balmy summer days and star-spangled summer evenings. They lived their best life.

Summer nights are designed for unwinding, memory making and good old-fashioned childlike fun. As a kid growing up in small town Iowa, some of my best memories were made in the summer. Barefoot on the back lawn in the dark of night with my BFF catching fireflies in a mason jar, then proceeding to the front lawn where we spent hours cartwheeling across the dewy grass illuminated by the dimly lit porch light. Only when we had fully exhausted ourselves (and all the fireflies in all the world were secured in the jars) did we finally retire to the pup tent in the backyard, snuggle into our sleeping bags and giggle ourselves to sleep. We too were living our best life.

It’s been said that no one gets to the end of their life, looks back and remembers with fondness how many summer evenings they went to bed early, had the best nights sleep or left the dinner party first. Memories are made in the lingering…the staying present…the late-night adventures, impromptu gatherings, silly antics. Summer in particular, with her extended hours of daylight and warm evening breezes, rolls out the welcome mat and invites us to settle in and tarry a little. Summer nights on Nantucket provide amazing opportunities to embrace this diminishing concept of being present.

Aside from the busy social events the Grey Lady is famous for, there are a number of ways she invites us to slow down and savor the last drop of summer. At our house, our favorite thing to do is gather friends and family around our dining table for a casual BBQ. The pace of the evening is always unhurried so we can share stories of our families, island adventures and more than a few laughs. We then proceed to our outdoor fire-pit for s’mores or dessert…and more laughs. No electronic devices welcome or necessary. We have each other…in real time…and it’s all the “likes” we need.

As you enjoy these final waning weeks of summer on Nantucket, be sure to give yourself permission to experience the “nightlife.” Take a moonlit stroll on the beach with that special someone. Pack the whole family in the Wrangler and head to the sand with a blanket and a flashlight for stargazing while you listen to the crashing waves. Or, simply let your own dinner party spill on to the patio for late night dessert, raucous laughter and memory making….and keep your eyes peeled for the fireflies!

Live your best life.