How to Enjoy a Summer Romance

We all know about one of the most famous summer romances of all time between Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta) and Sandy Dumbrowski (played by Olivia Newton-John) in the movie, Grease. These fictional lovebirds got lucky, ended up at the same high school and (after their fair shares of trials and tribulations) danced off into the sunset together the following summer. Whether or not you will have such a fabulous fate with your summer romance will be up in the air, but here are some tips for enjoying your summer romance now, even if it is doomed to end come September.

Instructions

1. Do not place expectations on the romance or let fears of its demise ruin your fun. By definition, the “summer romance” typically only lasts for the summer. You could be a West Coast babe summering in the Hamptons or an East Coast hottie surfing in Newport Beach, California when you meet your summer love. Rather than worry about where the romance will go or fret about the fact that it might end, toss out your fears and expectations and enjoy each other!

2. If for logistical reasons or other reasons the romance will surely end, do not do anything that you will regret. Even though you might be madly in love, avoid regrets by thinking ahead a bit. While this does not mean calculating your every move and worrying endlessly (reread Step 1.), a little forethought could go a long way.

3. Enjoy the wet and warm benefits of summer. Water is very romantic and sexy. A hot summer romance often revolves around a beach, a lake, a swimming pool or some other water-inspired place. Take advantage of the warm weather to play in the water together. Besides, if you’re having a particularly hot summer romance, once in a while you’ll need to cool off.

4. Create memories all summer long and archive those memories. Take copious photos. Save mementos such as love letters, movie tickets, matchbooks or souvenirs from fun places you went. Throw them in a “summer love” memory box, such as a shoebox or jewelry box. You will cherish these memories later. If you don’t find you cherish the memories, you can always use the box for kindling at an end-of-summer bonfire.

5. If the summer romance must end, revel in its memories. Take out your “summer love” memory box and pour through its contents. Cry your heart out or let your memories fill you with crazy joy, as the mood strikes. If you’re feeling especially creative, make a scrapbook of your pictures and saved mementos. Oh, and of course, there is always the bonfire option.