Of all the surprises my husband Eric could have planned for the Fourth of July, hosting a massive family party was the last thing I expected. For years, Eric had avoided every holiday, birthday, and barbecue, always claiming they were too loud or filled with pointless small talk.I accepted he was just an introvert who hated gatherings, so I stopped asking. But one quiet morning in June, he stunned me by suggesting we throw a big Fourth of July celebration.I was thrilled, thinking he’d finally embraced the joy of family and celebration after 15 years of marriage. I poured my heart into the planning—decorating our yard, cooking for days, creating goodie bags, and making our home glow with festive spirit.