As friends and family gather to celebrate the 4th of July, ours will do the same. 

The Holidays continue to look different for us each year, we have our memories of those past and we cherish them so very much.

Each year our family plans a big get together for the 4th of July. Rotating between the lake in Starke or the beach in St. Augustine, the location didn’t matter to us, as long as we were together. At any given time, we had a crew of 30 plus, the more the merrier.

We didn’t think 2021 would hold the last 4th of July with Seth here to celebrate. The very last 4th of July that he would spend celebrating his FAVORITE HOLIDAY with his family and friends.

We would have planned more, we would have taken more pictures, we would have spent more time together. 

But looking back, we all agree, it was the perfect day. It was the perfect 4th of July. 

We started the day at Kingsley Lake, fully prepared to decorate the boat and win Best Decorated at the parade. We decorated the boat perfectly. A giant eagle adorned the front of the boat. The boat screamed Red, White and Blue. 

We won Best Pontoon that year in the boat parade. 

We cooked out, we swam, we ate, we laughed, we had the best time with the family. A full day at the lake we grew up on. 

Our plan was to stay at the lake all day, but Seth, Gini, Amber and Makayla decided to head back to St. Augustine to watch the fireworks over the Bayfront. 

Since moving from Starke to St. Augustine, we loved watching the fireworks downtown. The crowds didn’t bother us, the heat didn’t bother us; we packed our cooler and enjoyed the time together. 

The four of us walked around downtown, finding food and drinks and decided to settle in to get a good spot to watch the show. 

We sat right along the bay front, the closest we had ever been to date. Seth was so excited. We laughed at him then, but now we remember how adorable he was. Eyes wide open, in awe of the show. He was like a kid. I’m sure he even shed a tear, at least one of us did. This image of him in that moment will forever be in my mind. 

The four of us made it out to walk around his favorite bar, Scarlett O’Haras and spent time with his friends. Laughing and cutting up. Just like every year. 

He was able to do everything he loved that last 4th. A full day with family on the lake and ended the night in the city he loved. 

Seth over the years dressed up for the occasion, many times with friends. He loved his American Flag, extremely too short, swim trunks. He loved Patriotic music. He would sing every word to every song. 

We spent last year all together at the beach for the 4th of July. A ton of food, surfing, swimming, family, friends, sun and sand, some of our favorites. One off his best friends proposed to his girlfriend and we were all there to witness the surprise. It was such a great day, just missing Seth. 

This year was just as nice. We spent the day at the beach. The family met at the beach for the sunrise and then enjoyed breakfast before spending he rest of the day at the beach. Many of the same crew as last year. 

Though we continue to be with our family and friends there will always be a part of us missing. 

We love and miss you dearly Seth. We know you have the best view of the fireworks. And we know you are with us in spirit and in our hearts. 

Happy 4th of July everyone!