What Does July 4th Mean to You?

Sharing a Letter from our Founder & Chairman

Please Click Here to Manage Your Preferences or Unsubscribe For me, the Fourth of July has always been a celebration for the senses and the soul. There's the sound of grandchildren playing in the backyard, the smell of  burgers on the grill, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. But what really sticks with me are the feelings those moments evoke. As a kid, the Fourth felt like pure magic. I remember our family heading to the local parade to wave flags and watch marching bands. Back home, we'd fire up the grill, and as the sun set, my siblings and I would play with fireworks. (I still have a scar on my ankle to remind me!) It all just felt like fun at the time. But looking back, I see those rituals for what they were: celebrations of connection and belonging. These activities, repeated year after year, grounded my family in something greater than ourselves. And that's what makes this holiday so meaningful. However small they may seem, rituals have a way of sticking with us. They turn into the stories that tie generations — and the country — together. They remind us that we're part of something larger and enduring. The power of community rituals Over the years, many of you have written in to share your own July Fourth stories in the Celebrations Pulse. Some are about family recipes passed down through generations. Others describe small-town parades where everyone knows your name, or the joy of celebrating a first Independence Day as a new U.S. citizen. Every story is different — rooted in its own people, place, and tradition — but they all seem to bring up the same powerful emotions. It's a reminder that while our experiences may vary, the meaning behind them often runs in the same direction. One reader, Patricia, told me about her July Fourth family tradition of serving creamed salmon and peas, a dish handed down from her grandmother. "Some of us love it, others tolerate it," she wrote, "but we all look forward to dessert: angel food cake with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. Now we finish the salmon quickly just to get to the good stuff!" Another reader, Joan, shared how her family gathers every year at a lakeside cabin. They grill outside, watch a parade of decorated boats, and light fireworks from a pontoon boat. "It's a great time on the Fourth of July," she said simply — but that one line says so much. Each of these stories is different, but together they weave the fabric of America. They remind us that the Fourth isn't just a day we mark on the calendar, but something we pass along. Looking ahead to 250 years of independence As much as the Fourth of July is about personal stories and rituals, it's also a time to step back and reflect on the bigger story that brought us here in the first place. Next year, we'll mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While 1776 is the year that lives in our national memory, many of the events that made it possible happened the year before. This year, 2025, marks the 250th anniversaries of key turning points in the forming of this nation: the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord, the formation of the Continental Army, and the convening of the Second Continental Congress. These early moments of unity and courage laid the foundation for everything that followed. All across the country, preparations are underway for next year's milestone celebrations. But I think there's something powerful about reflecting today on the courage, decisions, and even disagreements that shaped the journey to 1776. There's a lot we can learn from the way our founders wrestled with big ideas and hard choices, especially in a time when unity wasn't easy — and still isn't. Every Fourth of July is not only a celebration, but also a reminder of the bold decision to chart a new course. It's an invitation to keep moving forward with that same spirit. It's a chance to ask what it means to be American today, and how we can keep striving toward the ideals first put to paper nearly two and a half centuries ago. Celebrate, share, and reflect This Friday, as you fire up the grill or watch fireworks with family and friends, I hope you'll take a moment to reflect on where we've been and how far we've come. Think about what was happening 250 years ago, and how those early decisions still shape us today. On a personal level, take the time to enjoy your rituals and pass them along. Share what this holiday means to you with your children and grandchildren. Whether it's a recipe or a backyard tradition that's stood the test of time, these are the things that keep the spirit of the Fourth alive — just as much as any history book ever could. All the best, Jim On this week's episode of Power & Impact, I sit down with Harriette Cole, journalist, bestselling author, coach, and professor, to talk about how to live with purpose, grace, and vision. From modeling at 13 to shaping Essence magazine's editorial voice, Harriette has spent her life crafting a message of excellence rooted in her family's legacy of service, style, and strength. We unpack the power of upbringing, the value of historically Black institutions like Howard University, and how legacy, discipline, and dreaming big can shape a remarkable life. Harriette opens up about her parents' influence, her journey to entrepreneurship, and what it means to manifest your vision, whether through a syndicated advice column, coaching music icons, or her transformative 100 Day Plan. If you're looking to unlock your next chapter, this episode is your first step. Caregiving in America I want to spotlight a powerful new PBS documentary simply titled Caregiving. It explores what it really means to care for a loved one — and why, in America, it's so often done alone. The film follows people like Malcoma Brown-Ekeogu, who helps her husband with daily tasks while carrying the emotional weight of the journey. It also traces how our country's policies — from Medicare to welfare reform — have left millions of caregivers without the support they need. There are over 53 million unpaid caregivers in the United States right now. Caregiving lifts their voices and asks us all to rethink what care really means. A month celebrating friends If the past few years have taught us anything, it's that friendship is a lifeline. The people we laugh with, lean on, and show up for have a profound impact on our health, happiness, and sense of belonging. That's why the 1-800-Flowers.com family of brands is dedicating the month of July to celebrating friendship and how these special bonds make our lives richer. We'll be marking Friendship Month with something special. I don't want to give too much away just yet, but I can promise this: It's all about making it easier to deepen connections and show gratitude for the people who walk beside us in every season of life. Stay tuned! Unlocking personal power My friend Dr. George S. Everly, Jr., recently wrote a powerful piece in Psychology Today about something we all need more of — personal power. Drawing from philosophy and psychology, George offers a five-part formula to help us build inner strength: study history, observe others, learn through experience, reflect deeply, and seek support. It's a timely reminder that while we can't always control our circumstances, we can shape how we respond and grow. Especially in times of stress or self-doubt, those five steps offer a path forward. Related articles that caught my eye Written by our Founder and Chairman, our Celebrations Pulse Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life. View as webpage This email was sent by: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Two Jericho Plaza Suite 200 Jericho, NY, 11753, USA Manage Email Preferences | Terms & Conditions | Unsubscribe from Pulse Newsletter