First, one of my clients sent me an email at 9:23 p.m. on July 4th. I know this because Ziggy buzzed while we were sitting on that curb in Blaine and everyone was so curious to know who in the hell was e-mailing at 9:23 on the 4th of July that I checked it.

Second, there is something quite comforting and pleasant about the 4th of July tradition that finds Sister #2 and fam, Sister #4, and me schlepping up to Blaine to partake in potato salad and grilled meats with Jodi Hanson and her family. I love that Jodi Hanson’s mom has lived in the same house for nearly forty years. I love that we tell the same stories and laugh at the same jokes every year. But most of all I love that even though I hardly ever see Jodi Hanson and her family there is never an awkward period of readjustment, there’s no need polite small talk. The minute I plop down in my chair it’s like I see them every day.

When you’re a single woman with a broken family you take home wherever you can find it.