Happy Labor Day, everyone! 🇺🇸✨
I hope you’re enjoying this Monday and, hopefully, getting a little time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the people and things that make you happy.
If you know me, then you already know September is always a busy month for me. Between my birthday, my projects, events, content, and just trying to enjoy life, September is basically my own personal celebration season. 😂💚
And this Labor Day weekend? Busy, but GOOD busy.
I got out, explored Atlanta, spent time with family and friends, laughed a little, dealt with some heat, watched fireworks, discovered new experiences, and of course… made memories.
So let’s take a little weekend journey together.
🎭 First Stop: The Dragon Con Parade
My weekend started with something I had never experienced before — the Dragon Con Parade!
I had heard about it, seen pictures and videos, but this year I finally decided to go.
And WOW.
Seeing downtown Atlanta filled with people dressed as all kinds of characters was definitely an experience. From superheroes and villains to fantasy characters, movie favorites, gaming characters and everything in between, there was so much creativity walking down the street.
I honestly loved seeing everyone having fun and completely embracing their characters.
And there was something pretty cool about experiencing it with close friends and family. Sometimes it’s not even about the event itself. It’s about who you’re standing beside while you’re experiencing it.
A little Atlanta history makes the Dragon Con Parade even more interesting. Dragon Con itself began in Atlanta in 1987, and the parade started in 2001 after organizers got the idea while walking down Peachtree Street and seeing a Salvation Army parade. Today, it has grown into one of Atlanta’s biggest spectacles, with thousands of costumed participants and tens of thousands of spectators.
And I can definitely see why people come back year after year.
For my first time?
I had a great time!
🎆 Saturday Night: Stone Mountain Laser Show
Then came Saturday night.
I headed over to Stone Mountain for the LaserShow, and let me tell you… I hadn’t been in YEARS.
Sometimes you return to a place you haven’t visited in forever and suddenly you’re reminded why you loved it in the first place.
The night was beautiful. The atmosphere was nice, the music was playing, and then came the part I really wanted to see…
THE FIREWORKS! 🎆
There is just something about sitting outside at night, watching the sky light up and realizing you needed a moment like this.
And I definitely did.
The Stone Mountain Lasershow has been an Atlanta-area tradition for decades. The original show debuted in 1983 and became a beloved part of the park’s history. After its long run, the classic show has periodically returned, including this Labor Day weekend.
So getting to experience it again after all these years?
Definitely worth it.
Sometimes you don’t need a huge trip.
Sometimes you just need a beautiful night, good company, fireworks and a chance to breathe.
📚 Then It Was Time to Wind Down
After all that running around, I came home and did what I love to do…
READ. 📖
Right now I’m reading Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn.
Meghan Quinn is one of my favorite authors because her books usually give me the combination I love — fun, romance, laughter, relationships and a little bit of everything.
Her books are just an easy escape for me.
And of course, I already have another one waiting in the wings: Just for the Cameras.
Yes, I have a book lineup. 😂
But honestly, that’s one of my favorite ways to end a busy day. After being around crowds, events, noise and activity, getting home, getting comfortable and opening a book feels like a reset.
Clink link to check out books :
🍔 Next Adventure: Foodie World Festival
And then we decided to keep the weekend going!
My cousin and I headed out to the Foodie World Festival.
Now let me start by saying…
IT WAS HOT.
And if you know me, you KNOW me and excessive heat are not friends. 😂🥵
Looking back, we probably should have waited until the sun went down a little because whew!
But somehow, the day just wasn’t going right for us.
My cousin got some cheesy fries — and ended up dropping them.
Then she got the big baby bottle drink, and they gave her the wrong color.
And then…
IT STARTED DRIPPING EVERYWHERE.
At that point, I was like, “Okayyyy, maybe this is our sign to go!” 😂
We walked around for a little while, but between the heat and everything else, we decided we’d had enough.
I also heard that two people had passed out, which definitely made me feel even better about our decision to leave.
And then there was the parking fee and the food prices.
Listen…
Sometimes you just have to say:
“We tried it. Let’s go home.” 😂
But even though the festival wasn’t exactly the experience we expected, I wouldn’t trade the day.
Because I got to spend time with my cousin.
And that’s what matters.
❤️ The Real Meaning Behind Labor Day
And while I was enjoying all these activities, it made me think about what Labor Day is actually about.
Today, Labor Day is often associated with cookouts, sales, parades, fireworks and a long weekend.
But the holiday has a much deeper history.
The first Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on September 5, 1882. The holiday grew out of the labor movement and efforts to recognize the contributions and achievements of American workers. Oregon became the first state to officially recognize Labor Day in 1887, and by 1894, Congress had made the first Monday in September a federal holiday.
So while we’re enjoying this long weekend, it’s also a reminder to appreciate the people who work hard every day — the people building businesses, taking care of families, serving communities, creating, teaching, driving, cooking, cleaning, helping, creating opportunities and keeping things moving.
Work matters.
But so does rest.
And I think that’s one of the things I have been learning more and more:
You can work hard AND enjoy your life.
You can have goals AND take a break.
You can build something AND make memories along the way.
💚 A Weekend Well Spent
When I look back at this weekend, it wasn’t perfect.
The heat was HOT.
The food festival didn’t go exactly as planned.
There were dropped fries.
There was a wrong-colored drink.
There was a lot of walking.
😂
But there was also laughter.
There was family.
There were friends.
There was a parade full of creativity.
There were fireworks lighting up the sky.
There was a good book waiting for me at home.
And there were moments where I simply got to enjoy being outside and living my life.
And honestly?
I’ll take that.
September is officially here, and for me, this isn’t just another month.
It’s my birthday month! 🎂💚
So I’m celebrating all month long.
Celebrating life.
Celebrating growth.
Celebrating new adventures.
Celebrating the people who continue to show up.
Celebrating the lessons.
Celebrating the little moments.
And most importantly, celebrating ME.
Because this season of my life is about enjoying the journey instead of always rushing toward the next destination.
So here’s to September.
Here’s to new adventures.
Here’s to getting outside.
Here’s to making memories.
Here’s to reading another good book.
Here’s to family and friends.
And here’s to remembering that life is happening right now.
So let’s enjoy it.
Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸💚
And trust me…
September is just getting started.
Stay tuned to see what else I have in store because this birthday month is going to be one to remember! 🎂✨
