Memories of our first Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July to you!!!

On this day I remember our very first Fourth of July in the US. We had moved here two months before and didn't know many people. Kaefer asked almost every day when we were going back to Germany, she really missed her little friends. I felt pretty lonely, too, and was yearning some adult conversation. I found myself WAITING for the Geek coming back from work. In short: we weren't what you'd call happy.

In the evening of July 3rd, we had just finished dinner, our door bell rang. Standing outside was a middle-aged couple holding some homemade pie in their hands. Turned out they were neighbors a few houses down the road who wanted to welcome us to the neighborhood. We invited them in, shared the pie and had some wine - and received an invitation to join the neighborhood fireworks in front of their house the very next day.

It was a happy Fourth for us. We got to know so many neighbors, had some food and wine, lots of laughter and, of course, colorful fireworks. It was the very first time since moving to the States that I felt some sense of belonging. I love my neighborhood.