As we paused in late May to honor Memorial Day, we were reminded of the many men and women who have laid down their lives for this country. As a retired Marine, Lionel reflected on the young service members he knew who never made it home, and those who came home forever changed.
Memorial Day is a time for quiet reflection, gratitude, and unity — a day to remember that the freedoms we cherish came at a price, paid by Americans from every walk of life.
In that spirit, we turn our hearts now toward another important date on our calendar: Juneteenth.
For Natalie, Juneteenth has always been more than just a date in a history book. Growing up, it was a day of pride, reflection, and community — a celebration of freedom that had been long delayed but never denied. It marks June 19, 1865, when over 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Texas finally learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom in America has often been uneven and hard-won, and that resilience and hope have always lit the way forward.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday — a long-overdue recognition of this chapter in our collective story. Yet many people still wonder: Is this holiday only for Black Americans? One friend recently confessed that he felt uncomfortable attending Juneteenth events because he thought he might not be welcome. That stopped us in our tracks.
We believe Juneteenth is for everyone — Black, white, Asian, Latino; Republican, Democrat, independent; religious, secular, LGBTQ+; rich or poor. It’s an American holiday that calls us to gather, to learn, and to celebrate our shared history and resilience. It’s about understanding the “why” behind the celebration — why it matters, what struggles were overcome, and what it means to be free.
When Lionel served in the Marine Corps, he served all Americans, side by side with people from every background. In that spirit, we see Juneteenth as an opportunity to bring people together. We want our neighbors, coworkers, pickleball partners, and friends to know: you are invited.
Last year, the City of San Marcos officially proclaimed Juneteenth a day of significance. But with no city-sponsored events planned, we decided to continue what we started: opening our home, our front yard, and our hearts to everyone. We set up a living library with books, photos, and stories to share.
We filled our tables with food that reminded us of home and history — BBQ and collard greens, fried chicken and red velvet cupcakes. Our front yard rang with music, laughter, and the voices of neighbors eager to learn and connect.
That’s the power of Juneteenth — a celebration of freedom, resilience, and community. It’s a chance to practice freedom together.
This Juneteenth, we invite you to join us at California State University, San Marcos, from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, for the first annual Juneteenth Celebration in San Marcos. The event will feature incredible music, amazing food, inspiring speakers, local vendors, and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Admission is free, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
For more information, please visit our website at https://couplesunfiltered.com/juneteenth/.
Together, let’s honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a future where everyone feels welcome.
Lionel and Natalie Saulsberry live in San Marcos and host the “Couples Unfiltered” podcast.
