I typically spend summer away from home and am never really homesick. However, I always know it is going to come around the Fourth of July. Sure enough this year was not any different but luckily for me I have a strong Foster Club Family and several supportive All-Star brothers and sisters! We began our day by watching the festive Seaside parade. Growing up in a town with the tagline being “famous for the 4th” I was not quite sure if this parade was going to live up to my expectations but to my surprise it did. I had a blast collecting goodies with the All-Stars, especially Cherie. Following the parade an extremely gracious friend of Foster Club, Molly invited us all to her house for a BBQ. She had a full buffet and I do not believe anyone left hungry!

Despite the cloudy and a bit rainy weather we were able to hang out and have a great time. It would not be the 4th without fireworks! All I can say is WOW! Seaside has a phenomenal display of fireworks. Last year I was blessed to spend the 4th in Washington DC and until this year that was the best display I had ever seen. But Seaside blew it out of the water—literally. Sitting on the beach with a bonfire with the all-stars was an awesome experience. It made me feel so much better to look around and see I was surrounded by amazing friends who had became family in less than a month. Knowing that helped me to put my feelings of homesick and enjoy the night.

After the fireworks a bunch of us girls just spent time hanging out in Seaside watching the crowds leave the beach and just taking in the culture. It turned out to be one of the most fun nights so far since I have been in Seaside. We all really bonded and had a fabulous time. Although it wasn’t 4th of July at home I would not have traded it for the world. I love my Foster Club family and am super glad I was able to share the holiday with them.