Summer drives all of us outdoors for time with friends on a shady patio, morning coffee as the sun rises, and an evening glass of rosé just as it sets. Because we are all outside more it leads to increased instances of what I like to call “the magic of summer”. When I lived in New York City, I loved bumping into long-lost-friends on a familiar street corner, or stumbling upon a store opening with fashionable people, good music and complementarity champagne. This is the magic of summer, it’s the possibility that the day or night can take you anywhere.

A few nights ago, along with another couple, we attended a poolside party at the W Hotel (Austin’s glimmering beacon of trendiness) downtown. We sipped fizzy drinks as our toes dangled in their fabulous pool. After a while it was time to go; our friends went their way and we went ours. As we approached our car, I received a text that I almost ignored. The night was complete; I was headed home with my love, a little hungry but content. Luckily, I listened to my intuition and not my stomach because our friends were texting to let us know they had just gotten free standby tickets to see Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples – and that we too should head back as there might be more tickets available. With just one glance at my husband I knew what he was thinking and almost in unison we were both hightailing it to ACL Live at the Moody Theater!

Bonnie Raitt was just fantastic but Mavis Staples really took us home. Her brassy soulful voice had the somewhat rigid Austin crowd toe tapping and clapping well into the late weeknight! At some point during the concert it hit me. Mavis is from another era entirely and the opportunity to see legends like her perform live is dwindling. I feel grateful for the experience, happy our friends thought of us and mostly joyful that I got to share it with the man I love.

The point of this is to remind you to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, be open to every possibility, so you too might experience the magic of summer!