Happy Labor Day

This is the day I’ve been waiting for: Labor Day. It signifies the end of summer (not my most favorite season of the year) and the beginning of fall (NOW you’re talking!). For us cooler weather has already settled in, even if it’s only dipping it’s toe in the water. After the humid scorchers we’ve had recently, well take what we can get!

There are many reasons to love a day like today. I could make a huge list to commemorate it, but wouldn’t that be sort of the antithesis of what this day is about? Instead, I’m offering the CliffsNotes version. Here are the top 5 reasons I love Labor Day:

1. No Regrets. It’s difficult to take time to just relax, but Labor Day is a day to do what you want without regret. Labor Day is recognized as a holiday in all 50 states – so that means you can kick back and relax without anyone questioning.
2. US Open. Tennis is the one sport I have enjoyed watching since I was a teenager. Labor Day falls right in the middle of the US Open tournament (what a great coincidence!). We don’t have cable, but we have a funky, little antenna in our attic that helps us get network coverage. That means we’ll be watching some awesome tennis in HD today!
3. Adios White Shoes! Labor Day used to signify the end of the season for wearing white shoes. I don’t know if this fashion law is still enforced today, but there was a time when white shoes were not considered fashionable after Labor Day. I have big feet (size 10 on a good day) and white shoes only make them look bigger. I’m not much of a fashionista anyway, so to be perfectly honest with you, I don’t think I even own any white shoes. But now I can not wear them without any guilt! 
4. Ciao to Summer. There are some things I like about summer such as thunderstorms, the sound of cicadas in the evening, and gathering the fruit of a garden. Fall is such a glorious compromise between two extremes (winter and summer). Labor Day is like a big billboard saying, “Coming Soon to Life Near You: Fall!”
5. Grilling. What’s Labor Day without grilling? My family doesn’t know this yet, but tonight we’ll be having corn on the cob, veggie burgers, and maybe some of my yummy vegan potato salad (if I can get myself away from US Open coverage long enough to make it). Who knows, maybe we’ll even sit out on that new deck for dinner!

Holidays can mean something different to each of us. What does Labor Day mean for you today?