Fourth of July

Today is the Fourth of July ... one of the most celebrated days in America. While I knew about it back in the UK, I never realised how HUGE it was here in the States! An excuse to hang out with friends and family, enjoy good food over the BBQ (or 'grill' would be a more culturally appropriate word!!) and typically watch a fireworks display ... as well as so much more!

Being such an event here, our American friends are often surprised when they find that we don't also celebrate it back in the UK. Let's think about it for a minute ... what is Independence Day? According to Wikipedia ...

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Did you get that? Independence from Great Britain! That would mean ... 'we' lost ... which would give us absolutely no reason to celebrate whatsoever! So  without wishing to offend anyone ... to the many many many American's that have asked us over the last 3 years if we celebrate the Fourth of July in the UK ... the answer would be NO!!!!!!!

Having said that, we have thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations while we have been living here and making the most of the day off that Mark gets from the hangar too. In fact, as Naomi was born here in Ohio and could be classified as either American or British, we plan on reflecting her American heritage (and our time here) by incorporating some of the US holidays as part of our own family traditions in the years to come. Including Independence Day and Thanksgiving ... although they will probably have a different twist to them when we do it!

I actually love the sense of pride that comes with this particular holiday here in the States. Not an arrogant 'we are better than anyone else' feeling, just a 'we are proud of who we are and are going to celebrate' one! Something that unless we're competing in a sporting event, I don't think us Brits are anywhere near as good at.

Although this will be the last year we get to celebrate Independence Day here in the States, it won't be the last time we get to celebrate it as a family. Happy Fourth of July everyone!