fourth of july | 2013
For some reason, every Fourth of July, I find myself looking back on where I was the year before.
Whilst in India, Fourth of July 2011, I remember being really proud to be from the U.S.A. I remember the nuns at the orphanage wishing me a Happy Independence Day and making pizza for them to honor my home country. I remember this Fourth being the first that I actually felt a connection to the holiday, which was previous just centered around barbeques, fireworks and friends.
Last year, Fourth of July 2012, I was in the midst of a sad period of my life. Despite all the things and people I had to be thankful for, I wasn't a very happy person. Nonetheless, I put on my favorite polka dot shorts, tried red lipstick for the first time (it was a keeper) and spent the day frolicking around Mission Beach, San Diego, one of my favorite places in the world, ending the day at In-n-Out with my then roommate.
This year, I felt on top of the world. I woke up at my best friend's house and we ventured into San Francisco to join our friends for a picnic of sandwiches, cupcakes and beer. The sky was cloudless and blue; the weather was warm; the air, brisk; and the laughter between my friends and I was endless. I felt free from my own insecurities and free from the sad place I was trapped in just a year before.
For the first time in a long time, on the Fourth of July 2013, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
8 comments:
I miss you and those polka dotted shorts :( and of course our in n out feasts.
Glad to hear it! Sounds like a lovely 4th! xo
Glad you had a much better 4th!! You girls look beautiful!!
You look so pretty in this photo!
Your writing is so eloquent Allie. And I'm glad that you're feeling perfectly at home :) I like the perspective you can gain from measuring years in Julys, it makes sense when you think of all of the time we spend in our lives waiting for summer vacation!
I know I'm a little late... but this is awesome. Glad you found your happy place.
When I'm in the middle of gray days (or, let's be real, months) it's hard to remember how much can change in a year's time. Holidays, especially, are great for marking those transformations. It's one of the best feelings to look back and realize that now things are better than you thought they could be. Wayta get there, Allie! I'm so happy for you.
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