The summer is bringing a new, unfamiliar energy

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY
·3 min read
Central Park in New York City.
Central Park in New York City.

Summer is almost here, and it's making me feel alive.

Although it's already gotten warmer in New York in the past weeks, the official start of summer on Sunday feels like a long-awaited sign of brighter days ahead – both literally and figuratively.

I'm kicking off the season by getting outside and soaking up some sun-delivered serotonin. One way I'm planning to enjoy the weather is having a picnic in Central Park to celebrate a friend's birthday.

And we're going all out: summery drinks, a charcuterie board, a cake and games!

The picnic will mark the first "party" I've been to since the pandemic started, which is crazy and thrilling at the same time. Since it's outdoors and everyone will be fully vaccinated, I'm feeling very safe. There's actually exciting about the idea of mingling with friends and friends of friends again.

Of course, like many of us, I'm still easing back into social situations, so the rest of my weekend I will likely be recharging with a solo reading afternoon in the park or bike ride through my neighborhood.

I'm feeling optimistic for this season to start, which is an emotion I'm going to hold on to for as long as I can.

In addition to the start of summer, this weekend is also Juneteenth and Father's Day. Check out the sections below for more info on those days and have a wonderful weekend!

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Today is Juneteenth

Americans will celebrate Juneteenth Saturday, a holiday commemorating the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, with block parties, cookouts and educational events, according to reporters Sudiksha Kochi and N'dea Yancey-Bragg.

While Juneteenth celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, which only freed slaves in the South, the 13th Amendment is what officially ended slavery in the U.S.

The holiday is looking a little different from most years.

Millions of Americans took to the streets to protest racial injustice last summer in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black Americans. The protest movement sparked an ongoing dialogue around systemic racism and police brutality.

The protests also raised attention for the importance of Juneteenth as companies including Nike, Twitter and Uber are giving employees paid days off.

With 144 million Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many will gather in person after celebrating virtually in 2020.

Click here to learn more about the history of Juneteenth and what celebrations are taking place this year.

The Juneteenth flag commemorates the day that slavery ended in the U.S. -- June 19, 1865, several years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Juneteenth flag commemorates the day that slavery ended in the U.S. -- June 19, 1865, several years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Today's reads

As a toast to the dads of the world, Macy's is offering a plethora of deals on clothes, furniture and more this week.
As a toast to the dads of the world, Macy's is offering a plethora of deals on clothes, furniture and more this week.

Today's pet

Meet Mollie.

Mollie says, who made this mess?
Mollie says, who made this mess?

"Mollie is a black Lab that just turned 1-years-old," writes Bob Hails. "One day, for some unknown reason, she decided to rip up her doggy bed. It took a week to clean up all the feathers."

More: Wait, when did Crocs become cool again?

More: Jesse Tyler Ferguson got a 'bit of skin cancer' removed: What you should know about SPF

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The summer is bringing a new, unfamiliar energy