Fourth of July was gorgeous, as usual, on Maui this year. Many couples are very excited on this day, preparing for their sunset beach wedding, followed by gorgeous fireworks exploding in the sky over them, and reflecting off the ocean.Yes, the Fourth of July is a popular day for Maui beach weddings. Some people have commented that they day seems an odd choice for a celebration of marriage, since it is a very worldly kind of holiday.It’s true that Fourth of July festivities often are full of beerdrinking before noon, loud parties and even louder firecrackers, but I believe that the Fourth has a deeper meaning – after all, it is a commemoration of the birth of the United States of America, “…one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.” How beautiful is that?Our founding fathers understood that God created us, as free people, and that loving Him back is a gift freely chosen and given. When I perform a Fourth of July wedding, I often explain that celebrating commitment on a day that commemorates freedom could be seen as a paradox – however, commitment is a decision we freely make, to live in the grace of true love. This love sets our hearts and spirits free!