The 4th of July was a big deal to my family growing up. We became U.S. citizens when I was in the sixth grade and our newly conferred status was not taken lightly. While our Portuguese heritage was ever present in our household, our newly adopted country permeated many aspects of our lives. For example, my father only bought American cars and English was slowly but surely replacing our native language at the dinner table.

For Independence Day, my parents would pack us up into our Ford Fairlane and off we would go zipping down to Cape Cod. For one glorious weekend we did what all other American families did. Our lunches at the beach consisted of what to us was a super exotic delicacy – hot dogs! At night the trusty Fairlane would transport us to that uniquely American venue, the drive-in theater.

Whenever I think back on those July 4th weekends, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude – to my parents for the endless sacrifices they made so that my sister and I would have every opportunity possible and to this great country that has been so good and bountiful to all of us.

Happy Independence Day everyone and God Bless America!