My Summer Scent

It’s funny how something as simple as a perfume can shoot us back in time.

From a young age, I was always fascinated by scents.  I used to sneak into my mom’s beauty drawer and tinker with the foggy glass bottles of potions for no reason at all. I would line them up on the counter, remove the lids and breathe in the crisp smell of memories that weren’t my own. Even when I didn’t know what a “scent” really was, I was drawn to the idea.  Mom and I were sorting through my closet the other day, and I happened to get into my candle collection.  Every single time I opened a half-burned candle, I started crying at the memories each charred wick brought. I used to light a candle every cold night while doing my homework in middle and high school.  I’m not sure the late hours and endless equations made a lovable memory, but it was the chapter in time that got me. I learned so much -felt so much- surrounded by those scents.

I’ve always known I have a strong sensory memory, but it had never hit me quite this hard.

My very first “big girl” perfume was from a  L’Occitane summer collection when I was in 5th grade.  That scent stayed with me until sometime last year. Each time I pass a L’Occitane store, I am reminded of countless verbena-scented summer memories.

While in New York this June (read about it here and here), I ended up in the Columbus Circle L’Occitane store. Since I ran out of my last bottle, I had been missing my trusty, go-to scent. And what better way to start a new chapter in life (college. . .in three weeks. . .) than with a new scent to attach to these memories?

Now whenever I spray this mist, I’m reminded one of my favorite trips ever.  Summer nights and the streets of New York. . .

A memory made from scent – what a funny thing.