Happy Fourth of July, lovelies. The Fourth has always a favorite holiday of mine since I was a kid. There is something special about spending an entire summer day celebrating the land of the free with the people we love. There has been a lot of things lately that have happened in our country within the past year that have made our hearts hurt. In the midst of this negativity and heartache, it is important to remember all the aspects of the United States that are worth celebrating. Because this land was made for you and me.

1. City lights and country roads.

2. Baseball games.

3. Pacific beaches.

4. Atlantic harbors.

5. Mountain ranges.

6. The Grand Canyon.

7. Louisiana Bayous.

8. The Mighty Mississippi River.

So many beautiful images of landscape crafted by God, that can only be found in our beautiful home.

9. Celebrations of differences.

Sure, we are still working on this one, and we still have a ways to go. But the ground upon which this nation was built is that everyone is free to be the person they want to be. And in return, we show respect to everyone we meet.

10. Campfires.

11. Lemonade stands.

12. Parades.

13. Pioneers and Peacemakers.

Abraham Lincoln. Susan B. Anthony. Martin Luther King Jr. Eleanor Roosevelt. Neil Armstrong. Harper Lee. Walt Disney. The people who saw the way the world was and decided to act on it. Whether it was defending their civil rights or embarking on a new discovery, they were movers and shakers. They showed us that we did not need to settle for the ordinary. That we can always be working to make the world a better place.

14. Sunday morning drives.

15. Those who fight for our nation.

16. Farmers markets.

17. Locally owned stores.

18. A helping hand.

When tragedy strikes, it’s the way people gather to help their neighbors out.

19. Fireflies.

20. Friday night lights.

21. Home.

Above all else, this is my home. And even in times of struggle and confusion, there is no place else I would rather spend my life.

In the height of election season, there can be a lot of tension among our states. I think it is important to remember that while there are still some things we are working on, this holiday reminds us of what we are all about. May freedom forever fly, and God bless this nation I get to call home.