Fourth of July

Birthday Boy

The love of my life turned 35 on Monday, so I thought it was fitting to share some fun childhood (and adulthood) photos to commemorate this milestone birthday. The 1980s-1990s photos are courtesy of his Aunt Linda.

It's hard to believe I've celebrated ten birthdays with this amazing man. Happy Birthday, Jonathan. I love you and this crazy life we've built together. 

Ten-month-old Jonathan with his great-grandfather Clovis Yates.

Ten-month-old Jonathan with his great-grandfather Clovis Yates.

Jonathan and his sister Julie in matching Ole Miss shirts with their cousin Michael.

Jonathan and his sister Julie in matching Ole Miss shirts with their cousin Michael.

Baby Jonathan with his great-grandfather Clovis Yates.

Baby Jonathan with his great-grandfather Clovis Yates.

Cousins.

Cousins.

Jonathan and his cousin Michael.

Jonathan and his cousin Michael.

Jonathan in our apartment two months after we moved to Memphis, July 6, 2006.

Jonathan in our apartment two months after we moved to Memphis, July 6, 2006.

Jonathan, Oscar, Eliza and Julie, July 7, 2006.

Jonathan, Oscar, Eliza and Julie, July 7, 2006.

Denise, Jonathan and Sadie, July 7, 2006.

Denise, Jonathan and Sadie, July 7, 2006.

My dad, Eliza, Anthony, Lauren and Jonathan celebrating his birthday in our first home, July 2010.

My dad, Eliza, Anthony, Lauren and Jonathan celebrating his birthday in our first home, July 2010.

Jonathan, Oliver, Julie and Eliza, July 7, 2010.

Jonathan, Oliver, Julie and Eliza, July 7, 2010.

Enjoying a birthday breakfast in Hermosa Beach, California, July 7, 2011.

Enjoying a birthday breakfast in Hermosa Beach, California, July 7, 2011.

Greg, Eliza, Jonathan and Anthony celebrating Jonathan's birthday in downtown Memphis, July 2012. 

Greg, Eliza, Jonathan and Anthony celebrating Jonathan's birthday in downtown Memphis, July 2012. 

Me and Jonathan celebrating at the Overton Park Shell, July 2013.

Me and Jonathan celebrating at the Overton Park Shell, July 2013.

Oliver and Porter a few weeks before we moved out of our first house, July 2013.

Oliver and Porter a few weeks before we moved out of our first house, July 2013.

Jonathan celebrating 34 at Boscos, July 7, 2013.

Jonathan celebrating 34 at Boscos, July 7, 2013.

Jonathan and Porter at Shelby Farms, July 2013.

Jonathan and Porter at Shelby Farms, July 2013.

Jonathan celebrating with Gerald, Denise and Josh (and the rest of his family), July 2013.

Jonathan celebrating with Gerald, Denise and Josh (and the rest of his family), July 2013.

Jonathan, Eliza and Anthony, July 2013.

Jonathan, Eliza and Anthony, July 2013.

After watching the Germantown fireworks, July 4, 2014. 

After watching the Germantown fireworks, July 4, 2014. 

An Old-Fashioned Fourth

Our neighborhood has hosted a Fourth of July parade for 64 years. It's the oldest in Memphis, and people come from all over to be a part of it. Everyone dons their most patriotic attire, flags adorn the streets and dogs wear silly red, white and blue outfits. At the end of the parade, a fire truck sprays all of the kids, and the parents stand around and catch up on the neighborhood gossip. It's a fun tradition and a great way to celebrate the holiday. 20130704-134047.jpg20130704-134415.jpg20130704-134449.jpg20130704-134428.jpg20130704-134502.jpg20130704-134532.jpg20130704-134549.jpg20130704-134612.jpg20130704-134620.jpg20130704-134629.jpg20130704-134642.jpg

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