America at 250: A Fourth of July Weekend I’ll Never Forget

Some birthdays are bigger than others.

This year, America celebrated 250 years.

Just writing those words gives me chills.

I know everyone celebrates the Fourth of July a little differently, but this year felt different. It felt bigger. It felt more meaningful. It felt like one of those moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I love this country.

I really do.

I’m thankful for the freedoms we have. I’m thankful for the men and women who have fought to protect those freedoms. I’m thankful for our military, our police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and every first responder who answers the call when people need them most.

Without generations of people willing to serve and sacrifice, we wouldn’t be celebrating America’s 250th birthday today.

Starting the Weekend at LibertyFest

Saturday morning we headed to downtown Edmond for the LibertyFest parade.

It had been years since we’d gone, and although Devin had to work and Braden was in New Orleans with Laura, I still felt like we needed to be there.

I’m so glad we went.

Was it hot? Absolutely.

Was it worth it? Every second.

Watching thousands of people line the streets reminded me how much people still love celebrating this country.

There were veterans, active military members, beautiful horses, the Shriners, classic cars, local businesses, the incredible Edmond High School marching bands, and one giant American flag that seemed to stretch forever.

It was impossible not to smile.

You can learn more about LibertyFest here: https://www.libertyfest.org/

This year’s celebration was made even more special because Oklahoma is also celebrating 100 years of Route 66. Now, I’ll always be a Texan at heart, but living here has certainly given me an appreciation for just how important Route 66 has been to American history and culture.

History seemed to be everywhere you looked.

Sometimes Rain Changes the Plans

Our original plan was to spend Saturday night outside watching the fireworks at UCO.

Mother Nature had other ideas.

A downpour and lightning forced officials to postpone the fireworks until Sunday evening.

Honestly, that turned out just fine.

Instead, we came home, dried off, and watched Fox News’ coverage of America’s 250th celebration in Washington, D.C. They also experienced weather delays, but one thing they didn’t delay was honoring our veterans.

I’m so thankful they made that a priority. Because that’s really what this celebration is about.

We don’t get to celebrate 250 years of freedom without generations of Americans who were willing to defend it.

When the fireworks finally lit up the sky over our nation’s capital, they were absolutely breathtaking.

Even better, countries around the world joined in celebrating America’s milestone. Seeing places like France, Germany, and Japan light famous landmarks in red, white, and blue was such a powerful reminder of America’s influence around the world.

Then on Sunday night, we still got our fireworks after all. Watching them from the top level of Topgolf turned out to be a pretty great backup plan.

A Song That Always Hits Home

There are songs that make you stop whatever you’re doing.

For me, one of those is Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag.”

Every time I hear it, I’m reminded that our flag has been through a lot.

It has flown through wars, victories, hardships, celebrations, and moments that shaped our nation’s history.

It’s more than a song.

It’s a reminder that freedom has never been free.

A Powerful Reminder

Another moment that stopped me in my tracks this weekend was watching this incredible video:

It’s one of those videos that reminds you just how much this country has been through over the last 250 years.

From the sacrifices made by generations before us to the moments that have united Americans in both celebration and hardship, it captures the spirit of our nation in a way that’s hard to put into words.

As I watched it, I couldn’t help but feel thankful. Thankful for our history, thankful for the freedoms we enjoy, and thankful for the people who have helped preserve them.

It was another reminder that celebrating America’s birthday is about so much more than fireworks. It’s about remembering where we’ve been, appreciating where we are today, and looking ahead with hope for the future.

America Through the Eyes of the World

One of my favorite parts of this weekend wasn’t something we experienced in person.

It was reading social media.

Between Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms, I loved seeing how families across America celebrated this historic birthday.

Then there were all the visitors here for the FIFA Club World Cup.

So many fans from other countries have shared how nervous they were before arriving. They had heard stories that made them uncertain about what to expect.

Instead, they’ve talked about friendly people.

Helpful strangers.

Amazing food.

Massive stadiums they couldn’t believe.

Road trips.

Small towns.

Big cities.

Hospitality.

The excitement has been contagious.

Reading those stories has been a wonderful reminder that everyday Americans are often the very best ambassadors for this country.

Soccer, Patriotism, and Something Bigger Than the Game

Today, the USMNT takes on Belgium.

I have no idea how tonight’s match will end.

Belgium is an outstanding team.

But one thing I already know is how proud I am to cheer for this group.

Watching these players stand with their hands over their hearts during the national anthem means something.

And one video has been playing over and over in my mind from Fox Soccer. I can watch this on repeat.

The line that sticks with me is this:

“Coming together to do something special. What could be more American than that?”

Exactly.

Whether it’s hearing thousands of fans chant “USA!” or watching players, coaches, and supporters sing “Country Roads” together after matches, sports have a unique way of bringing people together.