By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
June is National Dairy Month, and what better way to celebrate our introduction to summer than with ice cream. As a girl, I loved Dairy Queen—actually, I still do. One of my favorite memories is my brother choosing to ride in the back of our dad’s pickup with his ice cream cone. The wind picked up and blew it all over his face. He didn’t think it was funny, but I sure did.
Before you talk yourself out of ice cream because of a few extra calories (and yes, I know the thought crossed your mind), let’s consider all the reasons this thick, creamy, lovable treat deserves celebration.
Fun
Ice cream means celebration. Whether it’s a beautiful summer evening, a carnival, a sports victory, finishing a project, or simply surviving a rough day, ice cream somehow makes life sweeter.
Memory Maker
Ice cream has a way of attaching itself to special moments. When I think about it, I remember family outings, laughter with friends, and snapshots captured on phones before the first bite melted.
A Little Happiness
Dairy products contain nutrients like calcium and potassium, but let’s be honest—sometimes the greatest benefit of ice cream is the smile it brings.
Decision Maker
Need to buy a car? Sell a house? Change careers? Solve a problem? Difficult decisions somehow feel easier with a bowl of ice cream nearby.
Social Connection
Ice cream brings people together. Invite someone over for coffee and conversation, and they may hesitate. Add ice cream, and suddenly everyone is interested.
Comfort Food
A writer friend once received a rejection from a publisher. Instead of crying, she bought ice cream and started working on her next query letter. That sounds like resilience to me.
Elegant Affairs
I still remember eating Bunny Tracks ice cream while wearing a long gown at a formal event. Even my tastebuds felt elegant. I kicked off my pinchy shoes, found a quiet chair, and savored every bite.
Variety
Ice cream comes in endless forms and flavors: regular, sugar-free, lactose-free, frozen yogurt, homemade, piled high in a cone or tucked into a bowl with toppings galore. There’s truly something for everyone.
Support Dairy Farmers
Celebrating dairy products also means supporting hardworking dairy farmers who help keep our freezers stocked with favorite flavors.
No Reason at All
Do we really need a reason to enjoy ice cream?
Whenever I sign a new book contract, finish writing a novel, or celebrate a book release, I mark the occasion with ice cream.
Now it’s your turn:
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
