The Mid Life Dating Files 2025

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

Am I Patriotic? Well…Yes. And Also Slightly Dramatic.

Am I patriotic?

Well, yes. I love my country. I love that I live in a place where I can say exactly what I think (clearly), make my own choices, run my businesses, raise my family, and argue about politics at Thanksgiving dinner without being escorted out by the government. That’s freedom.

I’ve always been proud to be an American. We are the country people dream about. The land of opportunity. The place where you can start with nothing and build something. Where you can reinvent yourself at 25… or 45… or 65. (Or all three.)

Now, have there been moments in recent years where I’ve looked around and thought, “Should I be learning Italian just in case?”

Maybe.

There were seasons where I worried about where our country was headed. I’ve felt concerned about leadership, policies, the future for my kids and future grandkids. When you love something deeply, you worry about it. That’s not disloyal — that’s human.

But here’s what I’ve realized: patriotism isn’t pretending everything is perfect. It’s loving your country even when it feels messy. It’s believing we can do better. It’s caring enough to pay attention.

And yes — I’ll say it — I feel more confident with strong leadership that prioritizes freedom, security, and opportunity. I want an America where hard work matters, laws matter, families feel safe, and small businesses can thrive. That’s not radical. That’s common sense to me.

But here’s the funny part.

For someone who claims she’s patriotic, I also have a very detailed backup plan involving Europe.

There are days I picture myself strolling through the countryside of Italy, eating pasta that actually tastes like it has a passport, sipping wine at 2 p.m. because apparently that’s acceptable there. Or wandering through the streets of Paris pretending I understand art and ordering pastries I can’t pronounce.

I imagine writing about ancient history in Greece, touring castles in Ireland, and telling people, “I’m just here for the culture,” while secretly being there for the bread and cheese.

It’s on my bucket list — the landscapes, the history, the architecture, the food, the people. I want to see it all.

But here’s the truth.

As much as I romanticize Europe, America is home.

This is where my family is.

This is where my roots are.

This is where my children and (one day) grandchildren will build their lives.

Patriotism to me isn’t blind loyalty to a party. It’s loyalty to principles — freedom, responsibility, faith, opportunity, and the ability to disagree without destroying each other.

It’s being grateful that millions still want to come here. That says something.

It’s believing that no matter who sits in the Oval Office, this country is bigger than one person or one party.

And it’s knowing that if I ever do spend three months eating my way through Europe… I’ll still come home.

Because loving your country doesn’t mean you can’t travel.

It just means you know where your heart lives.

And mine?

It’s red, white, blue… with a temporary European vacation planned.