Post by Leigh Ann Lyon AAMS®

This Fourth of July reminded me that freedom is something to celebrate, and courage is something to practice. As a veteran, Independence Day has always held a special place in my heart. ❤️ It reminds me of the incredible women and men who’ve served our country, those who continue to serve, and the sacrifices made so we can enjoy moments like today with the people we love. I’m forever grateful for the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. This year, our family is spending the holiday in the small town in Oregon. We wandered downtown to see what was happening and stumbled upon the Rocket Run, a race benefiting the community cross country club. None of us had planned on racing. In fact, the girls weren’t even sure they wanted to do it. But instead of letting uncertainty win, they chose courage. They pinned on their race bibs, lined up with complete strangers, and gave it al they had. Watching them cross that finish line was one of those parenting moments I’ll remember forever. To top it off, Adrian finished 1st overall in his race, and Zoë and Ava placed 3rd and 5th in the one mile run! While I’m incredibly proud of their results, I’m even more proud they were willing to step outside their comfort zone and try something completely unexpected. Today was a beautiful reminder that courage doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it simply looks like showing up, taking the first step, and believing you’re capable of more than you imagined. Happy Fourth of July and Happy 250th, America! 🇺🇸 May we never take our freedom for granted, and may we continue to raise the next generation to live with courage, resilience, and gratitude. ❤️🤍💙