A Fourth Of July Memory

I am leaving work early today and couldn’t be more excited to start my Fourth of July weekend!  This is my absolute favorite holiday.  Not only is it summer, but there is something so magical about watching the fireworks on the boat while patriotic music is blaring in the background.  Plus, the Fourth of July holds a dear spot in my heart because it is the day that David proposed to me!

Six years ago, David and I were living together in Nebraska.  I had been wishing, hoping, and dreaming that a proposal was on its way.  I had convinced myself that it would be on Easter (I have an obsession with this holiday too) but that had come and gone.  Next up was Memorial Day weekend.  It just had to be then…but it wasn’t.  I had decided that I would just quit focusing on when it was going to happen and enjoy myself.  But who are we kidding? 

Finally the Fourth of July was around the corner.  My whole family was gathering at the lake house, along with some extended family.  Surely this was going to be the time, right?  I figured if it was going to happen, it would be at the beginning of the weekend so we would have time to celebrate with everyone while we were together.  Thursday night came and went.  Friday came and went.  Saturday was the Fourth of July.  We spent the entire day boating and celebrating.  Needless to say it didn’t happen. 

It was getting late in the evening.  We were rushing to finish up dinner so we could get on the boat and drive down to the middle of the lake to watch the fireworks display.  Every summer we attempt to take a family photo with all of us wearing our Okoboji t-shirts; crazy fun, right?  This particular year, none of us had showered, most of us were still in our suits, and definitely none of us had done our hair and make-up.  It wasn’t going to be a pretty photo, yet we managed to compile ourselves together in the front yard for the photo.   

I’m not going to tell the rest of the story, but instead share with you what David wrote about it on our wedding website.  I hadn’t searched our website in years so this was a really fun walk down memory lane – I wasn’t sure if it would even still be accessible!

 Fourth Of July

07-04-09

The Engagement

  It was around May of 2009 when I realized without a doubt that Chris was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and that is when the journey began... Not long after that, I sat down with Fred and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. Talk about nerve racking, but he couldn't have been happier and more supportive for us. After months of trying to come up with the best way to pop the question, it came to me, Fourth of July in Okoboji! That is Chris' favorite holiday, her favorite place, and some of her closest relatives would be there - perfect! After half a day of everybody asking why I was acting so weird, I decided it was the time. Only one little problem, how was I supposed to get everyone in the same place without them knowing something was up? That was where Matt came in.  I asked him if he could round everyone up for the family picture they had been planning on taking in the backyard. Little did they know, Matt and I set up a video camera to catch it all on tape. In the middle of taking pictures I stepped out of the group and suggested they should just have a picture of their immediate family. I swallowed the softball in my throat and tried to ignore the butterflies and said, "I moved halfway across the country to see if it would work out between Christina and I, and I don't think I can date you anymore..." After a few seconds I knelt on one knee and said, "because I want you to be my wife." The look on everyone's face was priceless when they realized I was proposing and not breaking up with Chris. We celebrated with champagne and had a great night watching fireworks out on the boat!

 

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday weekend!

 

The Summer Is Ours

Earlier this week a cousin of mine posted a status update on Facebook that I wanted to share because of the impact it had on me.  The gist of her comment was this -

 

“We have no swim lessons, no soccer camps, and no fancy vacations – no schedule whatsoever.  The summer is ours!” 

My initial reaction was “Boy, do you have it right.”  And it really got me thinking back to my childhood, my own family, and so many other families out there.  Are any of us taking advantage of what is right in front of us?  Are we truly embracing the beauty of not being on a schedule; just letting our impulses control what we feel like doing in that moment?  If we let go of the demanding schedules, the feeling that our children need to be involved in every activity under the sun, will we actually be living more of a stress free life?  Will we start to appreciate more of our time together as a family?  Will we be creating true memories for our children and be there to witness those laughs and their personal triumphs.

 

If there is one thing I have learned in the past four years, it is that time passes way too quickly.  I often reminisce at night, looking back at photos of my children and ask myself what happened and why are they so big already.  Each time I do that, it brings to light how important each and every moment with them is.

I was considering how I could get swimming lessons for both kids jumbled into our weekly schedule, possibly some t-ball in our small little town, and a number of other things.  But after reading my cousin’s comment and giving myself time to reflect; I realize even more that the most important task for the summer is to be present with my kids.  We are going to continue to play outside every night like the good ‘ol days, take more nightly walks to the library or to grab ice cream, build forts in the basement – all those activities that will surely make a lasting impression on our children’s development.  And even more importantly, encourage their imaginations by not living a life of such a dictatorship of scheduling.  They will play like kids should.  I feel more relieved already…