Fireworks. Friends. Families. Food. Fun.

There’s nothing like a national holiday to make people appreciate those around them. Nostalgia and celebration make gratitude swell in the heart, and our eyes are open to just how beautiful life really is - how much of a gift it is.

That’s why this year’s 4th of July was especially, well, special. One of Excel’s longest standing community members, Terry Dalton, happens to live nearby. His land is home to Excel’s garden, but is also the sight of our annual 4th of July extravaganza. Everyone that was on campus during the students’ summer break gathered together at Terry’s Monday night, excited for the infamous firework show to come.

People mingled, kids jumped on the trampoline, and some of the guys strategized the placement of the lightshow.

The sky grew dark. The music began to play. And the first fuse was lit.

And everybody looked up as the first firework lit up the night. Celebrating together as a family, all awestruck by something thrilling and beautiful - that’s something worth remembering.