Today I find myself especially grateful to call this great country home. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, I’m reminded just how blessed we are to enjoy the freedoms, opportunities and everyday comforts that so often become part of the background of our lives. I never want to take them for granted. God has blessed our family beyond measure, and I remain profoundly thankful to live in a country where we are free to worship, work hard, gather with those we love and dream about what comes next.
Our Fourth of July festivities actually begin on the Third, thanks to our neighborhood’s annual celebration, and I’ve grown to absolutely love that tradition. It makes the Fourth itself feel wonderfully slow and relaxing.
The evening began with a delicious dinner, summery cocktails and the simple joy of catching up with friends. There were more neighbors gathered together than we ever could have fit into our backyard, and I loved looking around and seeing generations of families celebrating together.
As the sun went down, children raced across the lawn, friends lingered under strings of twinkle lights and the anticipation for the fireworks began to build. The grand finale was a spectacular fireworks show set to classic patriotic music, the kind that still gives me goosebumps. It was the perfect ending to an evening celebrating the country we love.
After the fireworks, we headed to L and J’s house for an after-party that quickly became one of the funniest memories of the summer. Naturally, L had created another fabulous signature cocktail. Unfortunately, I had neglected to put on my glasses and somehow mistook a sparkler for my cocktail straw. Before I knew it, I had popped it into my drink.
L walked by, smiled and said, “Oh, that’s fun!”
The next thing I knew, she lit it.
Y’all… I don’t know that we’ve laughed that hard in years.
The kids continued running around the yard while the adults visited late into the evening, and just before midnight we gathered together one last time.
As the clock struck twelve, we opened a bottle of America’s 250th anniversary sparkling wine and toasted to the Fourth of July. We always ring in the New Year together with a bottle of bubbles, so it somehow felt perfectly fitting to welcome Independence Day the very same way.
I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate this beautiful country we call home. Happy Fourth of July!
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