That Summertime Sadness

For years, the 4th of July lit up the sky—and quietly broke my heart.

It became a personal reminder that another year had passed and I was still single. Uncoupled. Flying solo.

It didn’t matter if I was surrounded by friends and family on the beach in Santa Barbara, catching an old-timey parade in small-town Vermont, camping in Maine, or watching people on stilts emerge from the morning fog in Bolinas like something out of a psychedelic dream—I still felt that pang. That ache.

I remember one 4th in San Francisco, standing beneath a sky bursting with fireworks over the Bay. It was beautiful. Magical.

And yet… I felt alone.

Everyone around me seemed carefree, caught up in the moment. Meanwhile, I made a silent wish: “Next year on this day, let me be here—or somewhere—watching fireworks with my person.”

Next year came. And… nada.

Fast forward to this year. I’m on the rooftop of the LINE Hotel in DC, where I got married almost two years ago. Standing next to my husband, I watched the sky light up, not just above the National Mall, but in every direction across the skyline.

And I felt it. A full-circle moment.

The same wish, finally answered. And this time, no aching. Just gratitude. Gratitude for the years of hopeful longing that led me here. For the small, scary steps I took along the way. For the slow, steady build. For the person beside me now.

If you’re feeling some of that Summertime Sadness (Lana gets it), please know: you’re not alone, even if it feels that way.

Whether it’s love, loss, or just the dizzying speed of time. How July 4th hits and suddenly it’s *mid-summer*, and then September, and then the holidays—I see you.

For many, summer is joy. For others, it’s reflection. Longing. The in-between.

If that’s where you are, just know this much is true: the fireworks that matter most aren’t in the sky. They’re the slow sparks that light from within… when you finally feel seen, supported, and loved. By someone else. And by yourself.

Here’s to your next wish coming true.

And if you want a guide to get there, I’m here. When you’re ready to shift from wishing to connecting, join my Date-A-Base. It’s free. It’s private. It’s your first step toward something real.

Your fireworks moment might be closer than you think.

XO, Lisa

Questions? DM me on IG or FB @lisaratnermatchmaking, or email info@lisaratnermatchmaking.com.

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