Dear America,
I love you.
Not for what you’ve been, but for the ideals you’ve inspired us to keep reaching toward.
I love you.
Not for how Indigenous people were treated, or how Black and brown communities have been harmed throughout our history, but for the resilience, courage, and contributions of those who chose to keep moving forward despite injustice.
I love you.
Not because greed sometimes seems louder than generosity, but because I see regular people doing extraordinary acts of kindness every day. A hug. A helping hand. A neighbor checking in. Someone is reminding another person that they matter.
I love you.
Not for the barriers women continue to face, but for the countless voices that keep rising, speaking up, and opening doors for those who follow.
I love you.
Not because we’ve always cared for this beautiful land as it deserves, but because, from sea to shining sea, its beauty continues to remind us what is worth protecting.
Two hundred fifty years ago, a bold experiment began.
Like every experiment, there have been moments of progress and moments of pain. There has been courage, and there has been fear. We have taken steps forward, and we have taken steps back.
Today is another one of those moments.
Some of the choices being made move us farther from the ideals many of us hope this country can embody. That hurts. It matters. And it reminds us that justice, democracy, equality, and freedom require people who are willing to care, participate, and keep moving us forward.
To everyone who has been harmed throughout this ongoing experiment, I see you. I love you. You matter.
As we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday, my hope is that each of us takes one small step toward the country we want to create.
One kind thought.
One gentle word.
One loving action.
A country where more people feel seen.
More people feel valued.
More people know they matter.
Kindness.
Justice.
Peace
Equality
Equity
Hope
These are the directions I hope we keep choosing.
I believe our differences can strengthen us when we choose curiosity over judgment, compassion over fear, and connection over division.
That’s the America I love.
That’s the America I’m helping create.
Happy 250th Birthday.
PS. I will continue to learn and grow, while loving up this beautiful and messy world we live in.