To those of you who weren’t in town for the holiday, you missed out on a sudden shift in weather that could have had many Lubbock residents hoping for a rain check on their Independence Day celebrations.

It all started late last week when Lubbock’s typical 90-degree weather seemed to be instantaneously replaced by a wall of rain clouds that stuck around for two and a half days. Soon enough, some parts of the South Plains had been drenched by more than ten inches of rain.

I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time indoors at home. I just recently moved into a new house and I did enjoy spending some time with my roommates — perhaps too much. I ended up cooking for all of us twice using my own groceries, so I definitely took one for the team on that one.

Although I was born and raised in Lubbock and recognize its need for good rain storms, I will say Mother Nature had some horrible timing with this particular storm.

The 4th on Broadway celebration, which takes place every year on Broadway Street (this year on the third of July for some odd reason), had to carry on despite what I would call a torrential downpour that lasted all day. I hate to point out the irony, but the parade literally did get rained on.

The rain had not soaked my Independence Day, however. The sun came out just in time for the holiday and my roommates and I got our hands on a good amount of fireworks for free.

So, we spent the day with family and friends and finished it off with a round of fireworks at Lubbock Motor Speedway on the outskirts of town and sparklers on the back porch.

Up until now, I had always seen Independence Day as something I celebrated for the United States of America — you know, all that stuff we read in middle school textbooks. This year, however, I celebrated it for myself and for my friends. I got to spend the holiday itself and the two days leading up to it with my roommates — who also happen to be my best friends — and I wouldn’t take it back for the world.

I had the opportunity to bond with my new roommates, help train the dog we rescued Friday from the Humane Society of West Texas and spend the whole weekend with my best friends. Who could ask for more?

So, cheers to the rain, to newly-found pride in our nation’s independence and not having to water the lawn for a week.