4th of July Milestones

4th of July has always been my favorite holiday. But earlier today, I was thinking about how defining this date has been to me as an adult. Let's walk down memory lane together....

1997 - Cadet Basic Training. There was a concert at Trophy Point - i fell asleep. afterward I was introduced to a family with a special needs teenager. She hugged me. It was my first hug since I had left LAX the week before. It brought me to tears.

2001 - Just graduated USMA. Spent the 4th in Santa Barbara with my family. Had an amazing day. This is the last time my family was together before my parents separated the following month.

2002 - Deployed. I think i was in Qatar for the actual 4th celebration.

2003 - Flew home from Iraq. Landed in the states on July 5th.

2005 - My dad met Luke for the first time. Dad approved.

2006 - Luke and I got stuck in Arizona on our way home from the most amazing honeymoon ever.

2007 - Last day of our Greece sailboat adventure. Yes, we lived on a sailboat in Greece for 10 days. Can you say unforgettable?

2008 - Awesome beach party in Carmel with Toph and Vicki. First and last time I've really seen Luke drink a bit too much.

2009 - I think we stayed home - Dillan was only 6 months old.

2010 - Camped out in Dad's yard. Almost burned his house down.

2011 - We'll be headed up to SF to have Maddie early the next morning.

Here's to a lifetime of 4th of Julys with my sweet babies and my wonderful Hubby and all of our family and friends.