Just like my father, I am a night owl. I have been this way since I was born, and is something special my dad and I have always shared. I can stay up all night long writing papers, finishing projects — which proved to be a necessity in graduate school — and sometimes I can even stay up to watch an entire season of my favorite television shows. However being a night owl also means I love being able to sleep in when I can. And while I can without a doubt stay up late and get up early the next day, I think everyone knows it’s not the best idea and that it’s not always an easy feat. In fact, I’m beginning to learn that even though I love to sleep in, as an adult it is nearly impossible.

So this is a message to all of those of you who find yourself in a similar position as myself. Attention night owls, this is a wake up call, so just prepare yourself. This Sunday morning the clocks will spring forward, thus virtually erasing one of our precious hours of sleep.

And before we start dramatically complaining about how tired we will be that first day or two or late for church or work due to forgetting to set our clocks back, let’s take a look at what this spring forward means for us in Selma. I, for one, will gladly sacrifice an hour of sleep in exchange for an extra hour of sunlight.

The time change will mean more light in the evenings when we get off of work, which will be great for walks around Old Town, through Live Oak Cemetery or even out at Bloch Park. It will mean more time to be outside and enjoy nature. It means that spring is coming, and the flowers will soon be blooming. It means that hopefully sometime soon the weather will decide to be warm again.

And most importantly it means that things are about to get a little more exciting in Selma. As we spring forward I am looking most forward to the Historic Selma Pilgrimage where beautiful old homes and businesses will be on display for people to tour. The junior hostesses will be out and about looking like colorful cupcakes dotting the historic streets and neighborhoods with a taste of Selma’s yesteryear. Plus, this year the focus of Pilgrimage is on Selma’s Jewish heritage, a history I look forward to diving into.

Pilgrimage will take place on Friday and Saturday of next weekend, but the Thursday before that is the Alabama River Chili Cookoff.

Our office has been buzzing about the upcoming events that are sure to set Selma’s spring social calendar into full swing — and honestly I can’t wait. I have seen Selma at the tail end of summer, the fall and this what seems to be forever long winter. I can’t wait to see what this extra hour of sunlight means for Selma’s spring.