by Stephanie Toews, Executive Editor

“Despite the Forecast, live like it's spring."

— Lilly Pulitzer

March is spring’s official kick-off, but this year it feels like we’ve been living in it for weeks. The days are stretching longer, the evenings feel lighter, and there’s a shift in the sky that feels full of anticipation for what’s ahead. The other night, the clouds looked like a July sky, soft and glowing, and I had to remind myself it was still winter on the calendar.

It’s been such a mild season in Billings, with warmer-than-usual temperatures and very little snow. I’ve caught myself stepping outside without a coat, lacing up for long afternoon walks on dry streets, and lingering on the porch just to soak up the sunshine. As a born-and-raised Montana girl, I know how to endure a real winter. But I also know how to savor that first hint of warmth. I never take it for granted.

All this beautiful weather has me dreaming of spring and summer. I was made for these months, when it feels like the whole world wakes up again. The first blades of green grass pushing through. Buds forming on the trees. That bright burst of forsythia that seems to announce, almost overnight, that everything is about to become more beautiful. It’s energizing and exciting. It feels full of possibility.

Our March Live Life in Color issue is arriving at just the right time. This month feels perfect for planning gardens and landscaping projects, mapping out summer vacations, signing up for activities, and imagining backyard evenings with the people you love. These are the moments that make a Montana summer magical. Inside, our 2026 Summer Camps & Activities Guide is the perfect place to begin planning for those long summer days that will be here before we know it. You’ll also find inspiration to get outside, music to fill your evenings, and simple ways to gather your people well.

As we step into this new season, my hope is that you lean into it fully. Make the plans. Plant the flowers. Book the trip. Say yes to gathering. Let’s savor what’s ahead without rushing it. And if winter decides to sneak back in for one last visit, let’s keep our perspective and remember what’s coming. It already feels like spring, and I can’t wait to live it alongside you.

Love, 

Originally printed in the March 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Read this article in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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