The 4th of July Tradition I’ll Never Let Go Of

Every year, like clockwork, Aunt DeeDee would show up with the same thing: whole watermelons and blueberries. Not fancy fruit platters. Not curated boards. Just big, sweet, sun-ripened fruit—and love.

The 4th of July in our family wasn’t about fireworks or matching outfits. It was about being together. About the small things that became the big things. About sitting outside while the kids ran wild, sticky with juice and joy, and watching the day fade into night without a care in the world. Aunt DeeDee spoiled all of us—but especially my kids. She knew how to make an ordinary moment feel like magic. And while the years keep moving and traditions evolve, I still buy a whole watermelon every July. I cut it just the way she did. I serve it with the same love. Because some traditions don’t need updating—they just need honoring.

This is an ongoing weekly series that lets you in on a little more of our personal lives. Everything isn’t all about business, but yet it all ties in together!