SUMMER-PREVIEW – Distinctly Texan Magazine

CHASING FIREFLIES, COLLECTING MEMORIES, AND THE THINGS WE NEVER OUTGROW

By Stormy Saratoga

Woman in a red polka-dot vintage swimsuit reaching toward a glowing firefly in a summer garden

The Chase

Some of our happiest summers weren't about grand plans at all. They were about the simple rhythm of childhood, screen doors slamming behind us, our favorite songs drifting from a crackling radio, and warm sidewalks that seemed to hold the heat forever. And then, of course, there were the fireflies, those tiny, blinking sparks that turned ordinary evenings into something unforgettable.

The Things We Keep

Memory has a way of keeping summer alive long after the season fades. It's in the feel of a faded picnic blanket, the taste of something simple and sweet, and the rituals that bring us back to what matters: time together, unhurried and real. Summer taught us that the best moments aren't always the big ones. Often, the wonder was in the small, ordinary things, the kind we carry with us for a lifetime.

Woman in a vintage black and white gingham swimsuit standing in a sunset garden with a golden retriever and fireflies

An Invitation to Summer

December may not bring fireflies or long, golden evenings, but it does give us something just as meaningful: a chance to remember the summers that made us. The family traditions, the lingering laughs, the places that still feel like home. In our December swimsuit issue, we're celebrating those timeless moments and the spirit of summer that never really leaves us. And we want you to be part of it. Share your memories, your traditions, and the stories that still make you smile.

with

DISTINCTLY TEXAN

We're collecting the people, places, and memories that capture the true spirit of Texas summers. Tell us your story and help shape our inaugural December issue.

SHARE YOUR STORY

A PREVIEW OF OUR INAUGURAL DECEMBER 2026 ISSUE

DISTINCTLY TEXAN MAGAZINE · SUMMER IN DECEMBER

Take a Walk Down Memory Lane

Remember summer before calendars filled up? Tell us about a little moment that still makes you smile. Your memory could help inspire our December editorial.

CHAPTER 01 / 04

What takes you back?

Pick the memory that opens the door. There are no wrong answers.

CHAPTER 02 / 04

Set the scene.

A place, a smell, a sound. Sometimes that is all it takes.

When was this?

Where did it happen?

What do you remember hearing? What did that summer smell or taste like? Who was there?

CHAPTER 03 / 04

Tell us the part you never forgot.

A little inspiration: What happened? Who made it special? Why does this ordinary moment still stay with you?

Your summer memory *

Share as much or as little as you like. The details that seem ordinary to you may be what makes your story extraordinary.

CHAPTER 04 / 04

May we keep your story?

We'd love to consider your memory for a future Distinctly Texan feature.

Your name *

Email address *

How should we credit you if published? I confirm I am at least 18 years old. * This is my own story, and I give Distinctly Texan permission to review it, contact me, and potentially publish an edited excerpt with my selected credit. I understand publication is not guaranteed. * Optional: I'd like to hear about the December issue and related magazine updates.

Please avoid sharing sensitive details about other people without their permission. Your email address is for editorial follow-up and will not appear with your story. Nothing is sent until you choose the email action on the next screen.

YOUR MEMORY IS READY

One little piece of summer, remembered.

Review your story, then copy it or open it in your email application. Your story is not automatically sent or saved by this website.

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