Why Does Summer Fly By?

Sharing a Letter from our Founder & Chairman

Please Click Here to Manage Your Preferences or Unsubscribe One of my favorite songs this time of year is George Gershwin's "Summertime." It starts with this dreamy line: "Summertime, and the livin' is easy." It's a song that makes you breathe a little slower and appreciate the simple pleasures of the season. But here's the odd thing: While the languid melody makes it feel like time has stopped — like summer might stretch on forever — we all know the truth: Summer ends too soon. One minute you're firing up the grill on Memorial Day, and the next, you're shopping for school supplies. It always seems to move faster than we want it to. When I hear "Summertime," I don't just think about lazy afternoons and warm evenings. I also think about how precious the seasonal rituals of summer are. Whether it's a quiet walk to watch the sun set, a shared meal outside, or just a quick hello to a neighbor, those little summer moments are worth savoring. It gets me wondering: How can we slow time down? And why can't we preserve this feeling all year-round? Why time feels so slippery You've probably heard the saying, "Time flies when you're having fun." It turns out, there's some truth behind it. Science tells us that the way we experience time, what psychologists call "subjective time," is deeply affected by how we spend it. Objectively, of course, a minute is always a minute. But subjectively, what's happening in our "mind time" is far more flexible. Decades ago, psychologist Robert Ornstein conducted a series of experiments showing that when people are exposed to more sensory information, more complexity, and more variety, they perceive time as longer. For instance, participants listening to tapes with more frequent and varied sounds believed more time had passed than those who listened to simpler recordings, even though both tapes were exactly the same length. In other words, the more newness and richness we experience, the more "frames" our mind captures, and the fuller our memory log becomes. This explains why childhood summers, filled with firsts — first bike ride, first vacation, first Little League game, first fireworks — seem to stretch on forever. Our brains were constantly being jump-started by newness. The wrinkle of age One of the things I love about writing this letter is that I get to learn alongside you. And one question I've heard (and asked) many times is: Why does time seem to speed up as we age? According to researcher Adrian Bejan, our brains slow down as we grow older. The internal signals have to travel longer paths through more complex networks, which means we take in fewer mental "snapshots" per second. That drop in processing speed makes time feel like it's racing by. It's like the "film reel" of our memories begins to thin out with fewer frames and fewer standout moments. Summers feel shorter. Years go by in a blink. And our modern routines don't do us any favors. Think about how much time we spend scrolling endless streams of similar images and stories that don't stick. Because our brains don't log those moments as meaningful, they vanish from memory. No wonder some weekends feel like they disappear into thin air! Preserving the summer spirit Eventually, the calendar will turn. The long days will shorten. But that doesn't mean the spirit of summer has to end. Ultimately, what makes summer feel so precious isn't just the warm weather or hours of sunshine but the way it invites us to experience life in different ways. We give ourselves permission to slow down and to connect more deeply.  So maybe the real challenge isn't how to hold onto summer but rather how to carry its spirit into the rest of the year. As August rolls on, I hope you'll pause and ask yourself: What makes summer feel like summer? And how might you bring that summer feeling into September … and beyond? All the best, Jim In this week's episode of Power & Impact, I sit down with Venk Varadan, co-founder and CEO of Nanowear, a startup that's redefining digital health one thread at a time. Venk's story is anything but linear. From academic beginnings in biomedical engineering and chemistry to a high-stakes career on Wall Street, he now leads one of the most disruptive companies in wearable tech. Nanowear's breakthrough device, SimpleSense, is a textile-based diagnostic powerhouse. FDA-cleared and clinically validated, SimpleSense captures millions of biometric signals, from EKGs and respiratory data to continuous, cuffless blood pressure. In our conversation, Venk shares how Nanowear made the bold decision to pursue clinical-grade accuracy over consumer convenience, what it takes to navigate the FDA's regulatory maze, and why early detection of conditions like hypertension and sleep apnea could transform healthcare and save billions. If you care about the future of medicine and health monitoring, this episode is a must-listen. Share your thoughts with me at podcasts@celebrations.com. A summer of ideas, insight, and inspiration As summer draws to a close, we'll soon say goodbye to a truly extraordinary group of interns. Over the past 10 weeks, these talented college students immersed themselves across our teams, tackled big challenges, and brought fresh energy into every room they entered. I had the chance to sit in on their final project presentations, and I walked away both impressed and inspired. Each team was asked to reimagine what celebrations could look like for a new generation of customers. What they delivered was packed with ideas we never would have uncovered without them. They explored everything from reinventing the greeting card experience with humor, QR codes, and AI, to introducing new gift boxes and personalization tools that speak directly to Gen Z's values. They shared research on loyalty programs, digital shopping behaviors, influencer culture, and what makes an unboxing moment truly memorable. They even built prototypes of new mobile apps and websites! More than anything, what stood out to me was the clarity with which they saw the future — and their belief that celebrations, at their best, are about connection and community. To our interns: Thank you for spending your summer with us. You reminded us to look at things differently, to always ask questions, and to never underestimate the power of a new idea. Don't let World Honeybee Day buzz by Without honeybees, many of the fruits and flowers we love might not exist. That's why we celebrate these vital pollinators, along with the beekeepers who support them, on World Honeybee Day next Saturday, Aug. 16. As bees collect nectar, they help plants reproduce by transferring pollen, making them essential to both biodiversity and our food systems. In fact, they're responsible for pollinating more than a third of the crops we rely on, including sweet summer staples like Oregold Peaches from our friends at Harry & David. No bees, no blossoms. No nectar, no fruit. Their work also sustains the beauty of the natural world, from backyard gardens to beautiful bouquets. And let's not forget honeybees give us another simple joy: honey. Whether drizzled over toast, stirred into tea, or shared at the breakfast table, it's a reminder of just how sweet life can be, thanks to these incredible creatures. Honoring our sons and daughters This Monday (Aug. 11) marks Sons and Daughters Day. It's a great reminder to pause and appreciate the children who bring so much meaning to our lives. Whether they're toddlers or parents themselves, nearby or miles away, our sons and daughters hold a special place in our hearts. And while we may not always say it out loud, this day gives us a gentle nudge to do just that. So, take a moment to reach out — with a phone call, a note, a shared memory, or a small surprise. Tell them you love them. Tell them you're proud. It doesn't take much, but it means everything. Share your story and inspire a community As we look ahead to the next few Celebrations Pulse letters, I'd love to include more of your voices. Some of our most memorable newsletters have come from stories shared by our community and remind us how connected we really are. Right now, I'm looking for your reflections on two upcoming moments: Grandparents Day – Sunday, Sept. 7 Do you have a favorite memory of your grandparents? Or maybe you're a grandparent now, creating special rituals of your own. However you celebrate, I'd be honored to share your story in our Grandparents Day letter. Back-to-school season Whether you're preparing to send a child off to school, reminiscing about your own first day, or simply stocking up on supplies, I'd love to hear what this time of year means to you. Tell me your back-to-school story and I'll feature some of them next week. These moments are more meaningful when we reflect on them together. I hope you'll take a few minutes to write in. Your story could help someone else feel seen, supported, or simply smile. Related articles that caught my eye Written by our Founder and Chairman, our Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life. View as webpage This email was sent by: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Two Jericho Plaza Suite 200 Jericho, NY, 11753, USA Manage Email Preferences | Terms & Conditions | Unsubscribe from Pulse Newsletter