Backyard Bonfire on a June Evening

An evening in early June 2004 at a house with a sprawling backyard that stretched down to the water. As dusk settled, the lights inside the house came on, creating a warm glow against the cooling air. The yard itself was lit up, too, with landscape lights and candles set out on the tables.

The main event for the evening was the fire pit. We got it going as the last light faded from the sky, the flames catching and growing brighter as the night grew darker. There was a small, man-made pond nearby, lined with rocks and surrounded by plants, illuminated by a few torches that reflected in the dark water.

The party eventually migrated down closer to the lake. A pergola stood near the shore, strung with colorful party lights that cast their own reflections across the water. We sat there around another fire, the warmth pushing back against the night. It was a classic Michigan summer evening, just spending time with people outdoors until late.