Every 4th of July, my entire family gets together for the biggest celebration of the year. It might seem unusual to make a big deal out of Independence Day, but it’s the only time of year when all of my cousins, aunts, and uncles can take work off and come up to our cabin in Maine to spend time together and celebrate.
We have a ton of food, stories, campfires, fireworks, and fun. It’s the time when all of my cousins bring their significant others to meet the family, so there are new faces every year. It’s also often the one day of the year when we get to meet the newest members of the family after someone has a baby!
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| Two of the newest family members learning to fish. |
My uncle Jack gathers everyone together and makes a big speech, usually involving an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. His loud, booming voice makes it very exciting. After, there is a giant game of family badminton, during which absolutely everyone is accused of cheating—but it’s all in good fun!
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| Paying close attention to the annual Independence Day Speech. |
Later in the night, those partiers left standing have a big card game, usually lasting until the early hours of the next morning. We all laugh, talk, and catch up on everything that has happened since the last time we saw each other, and even if it has been a year, it still feels like I’m sitting at the table with my closest friends. Independence Day is more than just an American holiday for my family, it's a day of laughter, bonding, and enjoying the company of those we hold dear.
