“Thanks For Taking Me”: What Summer Fridays Are Really For

The Message You May Have Received This Summer

“Thank you for reaching out. As part of our ongoing efforts to support the well-being and work-life balance of our dedicated team, MKD Wealth closes the office at 12:00PM ET on Fridays during the summer. We remain committed to providing timely service, with a team member available to assist with any questions or time-sensitive matters.”

Maybe you received this message from an MKD Wealth team member sometime this summer. While it’s a simple out-of-office message, the “why” behind it is what truly matters.

The “Why” Behind the Policy

It’s nice to work at a place that believes that work-life balance isn’t just a phrase, it’s something we intentionally create space for. We recognize that time spent with family, friends, or simply taking the opportunity to unplug and be fully present is incredibly helpful for your mental and physical health.

I’m sure each member of our team spent those Friday afternoons in their own unique way. Some may have traveled, tackled home projects, enjoyed a hobby, or simply slowed down after a busy week. My Fridays looked a little different, but I know we all appreciated the gift of that time.

A Bucket List and a Shrinking Window

This summer felt especially significant for my 10-year-old son. He’s becoming more independent, and his circle of friends is growing larger and more important. I know these moments are fleeting, and before long he’ll naturally spend less of his free time with Mom. So while he still thinks I’m “cool,” I wanted to make the most of every opportunity we had together.

At the beginning of the summer, he created a bucket list filled with adventures he hoped we’d share. Every Friday afternoon became our mission to check another one off.

Strawberry Fields, a Cat Café, and the Zoo on the Hottest Day of the Year

We went strawberry picking, visited a cat café, spent time at a batting facility, hunkered down at the zoo on one of the hottest days of the summer, went to the movies, ate more ice cream than either of us would probably like to admit, and discovered that sometimes the best afternoons weren’t about doing something extraordinary at all—they were simply about being together.

At the end of nearly every Friday, my son would look at me and say,

“Thanks for taking me.”

Those four words meant more than he probably realized.

What Time Freedom Actually Looks Like

The memories we created this summer are ones I’ll carry with me long after the season ends. They were made possible not only because I chose to spend that time with him, but because I work for a firm that genuinely values family, understands that life happens beyond the office, and encourages us to be present for the moments that matter most.

As summer comes to a close, I’m incredibly grateful for the memories, for the time, and for a workplace that understands that investing in its people ultimately benefits everyone.