Today is one of my very favorite holidays: the Fourth of July! It’s a celebration that holds deep meaning for me and for so many of us as Americans. It marks the birth of our nation, a moment in time that changed the world, and gave us the freedom and opportunity we’re so lucky to enjoy every day.

Now, I’ll tell you if there’s one thing we Americans know how to do, it’s celebrate the 4th of July! At our home on the lake, we do it big. We usually host hundreds of our friends and neighbors and the festivities stretch across the shoreline and out into the water. A flotilla of boats gathers in front of our dock and we fill the air with patriotic music that echoes across the lake. It’s pure magic.

This holiday is more than fireworks and fun (though there’s plenty of that!), it’s a reminder of the courage and spirit that built our country. I hope you and your loved ones find your own way to mark the day with joy, gratitude, and a little red, white, and blue.

From my family to yours, have a wonderful 4th of July.

And hey, God bless America!