Traditionally our July Fourth service at Union Chapel is reserved for the topic of the state of the American democracy. This year is different.

“We are taking it slow.” That was the mantra I had back in the fall when I started dating Lance Fullin.

I was 22. In September I would start a jam-packed nine-month masters program at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

In a year like no other, a traditional rite of New England springtime was upended, with town meetings postponed, budgets trimmed, warrants downsized, elections delayed and venues changed.