Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in D.C. last March and the world came to an abrupt pause to limit its spread, friends, families, and strangers have yearned for endless sunshine and new journeys — and for happy memories.

More than 49,000 positive cases have been reported in D.C.; at least 1,137 people have died from the virus. And when a flurry of capacity and business restrictions were imposed on restaurants, social activities, in-person learning, and working, the small rituals that tie neighborhoods together fell by the wayside. In wards 7 and 8, summer norms — like kids playing in fire hydrants, outdoor sports, cook-outs, block parties, and large gatherings — began to dwindle away. After the killings in 2020 of Breonna Taylor, Deon Kay, George Floyd, and countless others who lost their lives at the hands of police officers and other racist individuals, the biggest activity on D.C. streets was the thousands of protesters who gathered at Black Lives Matter Plaza to demand an end to the senseless violence.

But as vaccination rates among District residents continues to tick up — in Ward 7, 19,795 people have been fully vaccinated, along with 15,886 in Ward 8 — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced an end to capacity restrictions on businesses by June 11. After over a year of restricted living, many D.C. residents are looking forward to the option of socializing freely again.

We asked residents in wards 7 and 8 about their plans for summer. Here’s what they had to say. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Zion Keller, Ward 8

What I miss about summer is going to the beach, not having school and hanging out with my friends. My plans for this summer is to do some skateboarding go to the beach and not have school. (laughs)

Shanae Bond, Ward 8

I miss community living. To step outside and walk into an adventure. That’s my thing, I miss being wherever I am, if I just see people and enjoy a good time. I plan to explore the city with my kids and do a lot of road tripping.

Zane Bond, Ward 8

This summer I want to eat ice cream and go out to get food. I want to play on the playgrounds and pick flowers every day.

Amber Mimz, Ward 7

My plans for the summer are to continue to build my brand Hair Sprinkles. I just completed my first apprenticeship that was available for people in wards 7 and 8 where they could take my workshop and learn the skills of applying hair adornments and essentially becoming a creative entrepreneur. This summer is the launch of the website, all of the new trainers, the launch of how you can book and take workshops. We’re going to focus on growing that brand. I’m looking forward to catching up with my friends. I haven’t really had time to kick it with them in so long, so I missed that.

I want to get back to swimming, going to the beach the things that you can do with your friends and not worry about wearing a mask all of the time. It’s been tough whether financially or emotionally. People have been dealing with being a lot, especially if you’re single. I’m honestly am ready to get back to hanging out and music. I’m also an artist, singer, song writer, producer in Southeast, D.C., [and] I haven’t performed since the COVID-19 pandemic. I performed virtually at the beginning of the pandemic. I’ve been doing workshops with the Hirshhorn Museum so that’s been keeping me busy. I’m ready to get back on the stage. It’s nothing like performing in person. Virtual is cool, it gives it a nice little vibe, an ambiance. [But] it’s nothing like the energy of people, so I’m ready to get back on stage.

Alexus Parker, Ward 7

I’m going to Puerto Rico. I’ll be traveling. I’m trying to do everything I couldn’t do before. I’ll be at everyone’s airport. What I missed about summer is not much. I don’t come out of the house if it’s over 78 degrees. I miss sitting in air conditioning (laughs). My daughter Journey’s birthday is in July. She’s happy about that.

Shawnita Humphries, Ward 8

I’ll be working this summer and hanging out. Backyard Gogo band is planning to host their first live gogo, June 11th, that’s the summer break-in, so I’m definitely going to shake a tail feather over there! You know, just have fun and enjoy the weather, the outdoor cook-outs, people, family, and friends. I’m looking forward to experiencing the neighborhood bars, the clubs, just the city life, D.C. life.