“Should we go tonight? I think it would be fun! We haven’t been yet this summer and it’s supposed to be great weather,” I asked. My husband and I discussed our evening plans before he left for work. We both agreed we’d go downtown for Freeman Friday Night Live.
I could picture the streets bustling with people and music filling the air. I had a full on day-dream thinking about it in advance. As he fired up the engine and mounted his motorcycle, I was snapped back to reality and said,”Okay, just text me when you’re leaving work so we can figure out if you should come home for me or if we should meet there.”
Freeman Friday Night Live is an enjoyable recurring summer event. Our local Main Street is blocked off, police officers patrol on bicycles while people walk and dance in the middle of the street and listen to a variety of bands stationed throughout.
Each band plays a different type of music and draws a unique audience. People swarm in from all directions and sections of life. I enjoy it because I love people and I get a kick out of people watching.
Summer time is so much fun and Friday Night Live is a way to mingle with a wide variety of people from all ages. Dressed in summer sundresses and shorts, they bring their toddlers in strollers and young kids ride in wagons as they eat ice cream. Others are with puppies or dogs on leashes. Some folks are slightly more dressed up and go out for dinner or drinks with friends then walk around and greet their friends.
As my day unfolded, I hoped we’d get to ride together on the motorcycle and I wouldn’t have to find a parking spot or coordinate meeting my honey.
Then late in the afternoon, I received a text from a friend, Hey, Rachel if u are not doing anything tonight, we are going to Friday Night Live to walk around. Welcome to join us. Let us know, it will be good see u and get tattoos.
Jill always teases me about drinking margaritas, smoking cigars and getting tattoos, mainly because she knows none are big draws for me. It has become a standing joke the way she hassles me. I texted back, Yep! We talked about it already but I need to wait until Michael gets off work. So we will see you there.
On Friday night I didn’t drink, smoke or get a tattoo, but I got my photo taken with my friend Jill so we could document the occasion of me getting close to the tattoo parlor.
We had a good time. We walked and talked and saw some other friends we knew and gave them each a big hug, “We saw you ride in on the Gold Wing and I thought, that kind of looks like Rachel…Well it is Rachel and Michael!” I grinned and said, “Yeah it’s me!” We visited with them for a while and then headed home.
It is always good to be with friends and be in the community. I think summertime is one of my favorite seasons because of it. I got my fix of people watching, chatted with strangers, giggled with friends, took a ride on the momo with my man and strolled through downtown with ease. It was a good day and a night that did not disappoint.
Let me ask you:
- What do you enjoy about summertime?
- If you were to get a new tattoo what would it be?
- What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
- What’s your favorite season?
- What genre of music would you stop and listen to, or dance to?
rachel inouye 