Happy 4th of July, Y’all!

Today is my favorite holiday. However, as I have mentioned this truth to my kids the last few days as my excitement was building, they were taken aback. Their facial reactions communicated I had made a shocking life choice. Only Thanksgiving and Christmas seem viable contenders for first place holiday. But, I like the 4th. A lot. For years.

Going against the flow on this one is acceptable to me. But, I am curious why I am so different. So, between the festivities, I am pausing to scrutinize myself and grow in my understanding. My goal is not to convince you to disembark the Christmas or Thanksgiving bandwagon and join me over here all by myself. But, perhaps this exercise will grow your appreciation for this “lesser” holiday.

The 4th is always an adventure. No matter what state. No matter who is around. I can always count on a large gathering and a spectacular display of fireworks. There is no expectation to be at home. No stress over giving the perfect gift. No pressure to even keep the same traditions. (Well, technically one year we went to a parade with the kids. The next year they automatically assumed we were repeating that fun candy-throwing activity. But that probably says more about children than the holiday itself.)

Diversity of location is is one of my favorite aspects of this holiday. One time growing up, we were not at home for Christmas and woke up in a hotel. It was horrible. But on the 4th you can wake up anywhere in America and all is good. My 4th memories have been created in South Carolina, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Georgia, with other states probably included that did not make the cut in the long-term memory bank. No location demands my presence. No location feels grief at my absence. Go anywhere. Celebrate everywhere.

The 4th is definitely one big national party. Parades. Cookouts. The world’s largest 10K race. Festivals. Rodeos. Fireworks. Everywhere you turn, a celebration is holding out an open invitation to you.

The unity of the 4th does my heart good too. Every other day we are fighting over something in this great land. But on the 4th, differences are largely set aside, and we come together in our red, white, and blue and gaze up in wonder at the fireworks overhead as we all share tremendous appreciation for the hard fought freedom we daily enjoy.

I love the big gatherings of friends from whatever chapter of life you happen to be in. The last three summers we have been out of town for the 4th. This year I was a little bummed to not be repeating our adventure in the Dakotas. Fort Pierre knows how to celebrate the 4th. I have never seen such a concentration and duration of fireworks as in that small town. But then we received an invite from a friend hosting a large group of church friends for a cookout. I am pumped. I made my potato salad, bought the Bomb Pops, and cannot wait to make this new July 4th memory.

Before sunrise today, we woke up to go cheer on the 55,000 runners in the Peachtree Road Race. Standing near the Mile 6 sign of the world’s largest 10K, I was once again inspired by these dedicated participants. Life is hard. These runners inspire me to keep running. To never give up. To push myself to the end of my own life race. Their grit displayed strengthens me. Yet I was also reminded of the importance of encouragement as the bystanders shouted out, “Good job! Almost there! You’ve got this! You can do it!”

July 4th is my favorite holiday by far. Nothing compares in my book. As I reflected upon my apparently unusual favorite holiday choice, I realized it even reminds me a tiny bit of heaven. The unity. The diversity. The camaraderie. The celebration. Hope you have a fabulous 4th!