I am not sure if it because my family has many traditions associated with this holiday or just because this is the time to celebrate America, but the fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. There seems to be a similar trend among some of my siblings.
This year I was able to celebrate it at the nation's capital. What an amazing experience. To start the day we rafted down a nearby river that was nice and warm, went to an afternoon bbq, and finished the night off with an amazing firework display. While waiting for the fireworks to start, the group of about 12 of us began to sing. We sang "My Country Tis of Thee," "God Bless America," "God Bless the USA" (Lee Greenwood versionWe listened to it every year without fail growing up and impressed everyone as we sang the whole song, word for word. I love it), and "The Star Spangled Banner." As we started to see the national anthem, we all stood up in honor of our country. Right as we are singing "o'er the ramparts we watched," the fireworks began shooting off in front of us. Perfect timing. Magical.
We were sitting on the lawn next to the Jefferson Memorial and had an incredible, unobstructed view of both the fireworks and the beautiful Washington Monument.
I am so proud and blessed to be an American. Oh and this video is for my mom :)
