Labor Day Fireworks - A History

(This blog should be read with the voice of that old guy who introduces an A&E biography in front of the fireplace, smoking a cigar.)

The history of a people is precious for it gives insight into the very foundations underlying culture. To revisit one's history then is to delve once again into the essense of one's identity, to analyze why the present is the way it is. Frankly, I feel like goin' back, goin' back to my roots with the good people of TND. It's hard to think of a time before this group of friends, yet it exists and there is a starting point. For me, my starting point with TND was Labor Day fireworks 2005.

Of course, I should clarify that I knew everyone in TND before it officially became TND and before I started socializing with the group on a regular basis. Asbury's good like that - it's hard to make it through without at least knowing something of a large majority of everybody.

In Fall 2005, before Grace became a Newsome and before singles row at the TND table had even been thought of, I went on my first semi-official non-TND outing to Cinci for Labor Day fireworks. I have to admit that I was quite a bit anxious and quite a bit unsure how to act around these crazy people. I quickly learned how right my anxieties were and also how crazy (?) I could pretend to be in my own right.

After fireworks that Labor Day, Ben, Grace, Lyndee, Megan, Chris, and I began hanging out more frequently. We had a Halloween party and the first official TND dinner: Grace's birthday. That was the event where we said - we can cook! we should have dinner together more often! So we started to do just that and our weekly gatherings to cook, experiment, and eat became a staple of the weekly routine. When Labor Day 2006 rolled around, I had a much better idea just how the people of TND acted together and where I fit in.

Throughout the following year, our group invited new people in, both as guests and to stay. That's one of the things I love about TND: no matter who joins us for dinner, whether it's people we know or complete strangers, the group is always easy, always the same, always open and welcoming and fun.

Labor Day 2007:

Though the frequency of our TND dinners and gatherings are more sporatic now, the friendships are no less. Here's to the longevity of TND and ever better lawnchair positioning for Labor Day fireworks!