My husband, Justin, and I truly enjoy company. Whether it’s Sunday dinner, a casual weeknight meal, or a Saturday brunch, we rarely eat out and oftentimes end up having someone over. Between Sunday and Saturday, we’re hosting anywhere between church college students to ten families for lunch or dinner, and if you do the math, that’s between five to forty people in our home. And whether we feed ourselves (the five) or others, my personal approach regarding the food I prepare is to impress with quantity, quality, and flavor. I cannot emphasize enough that I’m just as ecstatic about takeout or pizza. But when it comes to having a party, everyone knows I’ll be cooking.

All this is to preface that we’re hosting a Memorial Day pool party at our house to kick off Summer 2026. There will be lots of new faces and, from what I’ve been told, it will be quite the turn out. So, in the style of Martha Stewart, I’ve devised my own entertaining schedule of events - the epic “Memorial Day for 30” menu.

Last but never least, I’ll be in white, of course. A breezy cotton gauze shirt dress that also works as a coverup should be both practical and on theme. The girls will be in bright pink and blue swimsuits for half the day — there won't be much of a fashion show.

And, finally, whenever I observe my life at arms length, I cannot help but acknowledge the wonderful day to day privileges that I have because of those that had come before me and sacrificed some aspect of their lives so that I can be where I am today - to be able to entertain a large group of young professionals and growing families in a very safe neighborhood in a house that we call home. Justin also served in the Army so Memorial Day means something to us beyond the pool party. We understand that this day is dedicated to those who couldn’t make it back home to their families. To start off summer with this holiday is a wonderful American tradition and an ultimate reminder that the pickle lemonade isn’t the point — or is it?