Baby, you’re a firework!

Yeah, you are. Such a firework.

I don’t know. I just really wanted to use that as a title. Even though I knew it would get the song stuck in my head – and it has. And even though I read no less than two articles today about making sure posts have good headlines.

I’m pretty sure they didn’t mean for me to use Katy Perry lyrics as my headline.

I have so many memories involving the 4th of July. Some good: college reunions, church picnics, a cousin’s wedding; and some not-so-good: stressful vacations, family arguments, my granddad’s death. But lately, one holiday in particular has been coming to mind.

When I worked for the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce, the summer after college, I helped with the City’s annual 4th of July event. While I spent hours working on logistics and publicity, my husband got to spend minutes lighting the biggest fireworks he’d ever seen in person. I’m the only one who got paid for that event, but I’m pretty sure he got the better benefits!

The City had hired a professional to do the fireworks display, but he needed some help. That’s where my husband came in. He was ecstatic – and I was terrified. I just knew he was going to blow his hand off. I’m pretty sure I didn’t stop praying the entire time the sky was lit up.

For once, my accident-prone husband did not get hurt. Instead, he got all the way-bigger-than-you-can-buy-from-a-tent fireworks he could fit in our car. And then he got to shoot them off in our apartment parking lot with his friend the next night.

It really is a wonder that no cars blew up that night. I’m not even kidding.

In Kansas City, selling fireworks is only legal in certain suburbs. That means the particular area I work in is covered with brightly colored tents and signs promising the biggest, best, cheapest fireworks in town. Every time I drive by those tents, I can’t help myself. I chuckle just a little bit, remembering how scared I was of those crazy big fireworks and how little-kid-on-Christmas excited my husband was to “play” with them!

I’m not completely sure what we’ll do next Wednesday night. My cousin, the one who got married on the 4th of July, hosts a party every year, so we may go there. I should’ve thought about making plans before now, I suppose! But even if we do nothing more exciting than sit on my cousin’s deck until dark and then watch for fireworks out the window as we drive a sleepy kiddo home, it will be fun to have a day off and family time in the middle of the week.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had on the 4th of July?

I shared tips for planning a fabulous 4th of July party over at (in)courage this week, and today’s the last day to enter for a chance to win one of five copies of my ebook, Plan a Fabulous Party {without losing your mind}. And if you’re looking for an easy but festive dish to make for whatever picnic/barbecue/party/shindig you’re going to next week, try this Fruit Kebabs Flag!