July 4th Might Just Be My Favorite Holiday
The 4th of July may be my favorite holiday. Giving thanks to our military and founding fathers, while taking advantage of warm weather, S’mores, and the excuse to play with sparkly fire. What is not to like?
The Good Ole Days
My 4th of July holidays have varied over the years. As a child, they always included a small town parade complete with about ten different fire trucks and a handful of horses going number two right in front of our candy catching spot. Do not worry, it never kept my brothers and me away from leaping into the street for those squished tootsie rolls and smashed lollipops.
A lot of what I recall from summers past revolve around the 4th of July. Where I grew up a local gun club (you read that right, I am obviously from the Midwest) would host a huge fireworks display on their property. Those nights were insane fun. Kids from all the surrounding towns would run around while parents mingled. The build-up to the big fireworks display was as exciting as the booms and blasts in the sky. I can still hear my cousin telling everyone she was getting braces soon and her rubber band color choice would come from the best explosive array.
My favorite childhood Independence Days were the ones where you fell asleep on the ride home smelling of that wonderful scent of bug spray, sunscreen, and sweat.
Cue My Husband
I thought I had fun at the 4th of July as a kid and a high schooler, but once I met my husband I understood what celebrating in the summer could really be for people. My in-laws have a cabin on the river and the fireworks that have been blasted by their fellow river rats are unparalleled.
One year I got a huge chunk of ash in my eye from an epic display, which made for a painful yet still funny experience. Also if you have never floated on the river with some good friends and watched a fireworks show, put it on your bucket list now. The warm summer at dusk, great conversation, and sparkly lights in the sky create unforgettable moments in life.
Fourth of July at the river during my college and newlywed days were all about fun. Sand volleyball, badminton, water skiing, fruit pizza decorated like an American flag, and so much laughter fills my mind’s eye when I look back and remember the glory days of my twenties.
My Family’s Fourth of July
Now that we are a large family of six, our 4th of July celebrations have changed a bit. Yet, like so many things, I think they do just get better and better. It is hard to top chicken fights in the Mighty Mo or risking a broken bone to make a grab for some Laffy Taffy before it is trampled by a parade float. However, even though my children drive me crazy they also make the 4th of July fantastic.
It helps that my neighborhood does this summer holiday up right. We have our own parade plus bouncy houses and snow-cones. My husband and I stay more home-bound now for the 4th, but we are also chiseling out traditions that I know make an impression on my kids. Local friends invite us over to watch fireworks and we often have company in town to visit. It is organized chaos at my house during the 4th, and I would not have it any other way.
It Feels Good to Celebrate
The 4th of July is a chance to celebrate family and friends. It is also the unofficial half-way mark to summer’s end. It is our nation’s birthday, therefore no matter how a person feels politically…it just seems right to have a good time on the 4th and ignore all of the partisan drama for at least 24-hours.
My wish for the 4th of July is to spray plenty of bug spray, slather on sunscreen, and have so much fun with my loved ones that I don’t even worry if I am wearing enough deodorant.
Happy Fourth to everyone from Family Footnote!