It took us 2 years, but we finally got our flagpole up on July 3rd…just in time for America’s birthday! Now more than ever, I feel it’s important to show solidarity and unite as a nation. I’m proud to hang this flag.

It saddens me to see people make a call for unity, and in the same breath condemn anyone who disagrees with them. When did opposing opinions turn to hate? It has become acceptable, and in many cases expected, that we attack a person’s physical appearance. Or family. Or intelligence. We say things that are hurtful, things that can’t be taken back, and friends turn against each other. No one wins.

All of this to say, be kind. Differences of opinion are actually wonderful. It’s how we all grow. But don’t lose sight of humanity. As Sandy Dahl said after 9/11, “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

Ok, that’s all the politics you’ll find over here. Moving on…

One reason it took so long is that there were already holes to mount a flag, but the original flagpole bolts had broken off inside the holes. So trying to remove those from the brick column proved very difficult.

But finally it’s up! Our house looks so much more complete now.

And because one flag (or one anything…I’m a maximalist after all!) is never enough, our little porch plant got an American touch as well.

We’ve come a very long way from where we started. Sometimes we forget just how much work we’ve done since May 2013 when we bought the house. Have a look!

And now, a question for you: Do we just stick with the one flag, or do we add the North Carolina flag to the other center column? Let me know what you think in the comments below!