A couple of years ago, I unexpectedly found myself getting emotional while pledging allegiance to the American flag. My reaction surprised me. Since then, I’ve experienced the same emotional response upon hearing the soaring notes of the Star-Spangled Banner at various events. I suddenly had a new appreciation for walking in freedom.

Maybe this unexpected reaction is a result of living 21 years overseas. Fourteen of those in Russia, soon after the fall of Communism. Living in a country and among people who grew up under Communism was eye-opening.

I often hear folks who visit Russia commenting that Russians never smile. Now Russians do smile, but not so much when riding public transportation and walking down the street. Of course, if you grew up under a time when you didn’t know who you could trust, where Big Brother was constantly peering over your shoulder and tapping your phone – you might not smile either.

Several Russians told me they could always pick out Americans in a crowd by three things; their wedding ring, shoes, and how Americans walk. The wedding ring example made immediate sense—Russians wear their wedding rings on their right hand. Also, they tend toward plain bands, not flashy solitaire diamond rings.

The shoe identification made me laugh. The truth is I can usually pick out a Russian by their shoes. The women love stilettos with pointy toes. I always made fun of my young Russian friends wearing winter boots with stiletto heels. Of course, they explained that the stilettos acted like ice picks, stabbing into the snow and ice and giving a better grip while you walk. Ha! I never went there. But Americans were known for wearing big clunky WHITE athletic shoes. Or Crocs. You know Crocs – those shoes with the holes where your dignity leaks out. (Oops, I hope I haven’t offended any Croc lovers!) Europeans tend to wear very nice shoes out in public. Even their casual shoes tend to be more sleek and refined than what Americans typically wear.

But identifying Americans by how they walked puzzled me. So I asked my Russian friends to explain what looked different about an American’s walk. I’d observed that Russians rarely make eye contact and tend to walk with their heads down. I quickly learned on public transportation to never make eye contact with other passengers. You either read a book, close your eyes and nap, or stare at the wall above everyone’s head or at the floor.

My Russian friends explained that Americans walk with freedom, confidence, and independence. Americans stand tall with their heads up, make eye contact, and often smile and greet strangers. If you’ve ever lived in West Texas, it’s pretty normal to have someone lift their hand off the steering wheel and give a little wave when driving down country roads. I think in the “Year of the Mask,” I’ve missed seeing people’s smiles more than anything else. I kept trying to smile with my eyes – until I saw myself in a passing window and realized how creepy I looked with wide eyes and lifted wiggly eyebrows. More like scary clown eyes than happy eyes.

When comparing the walking style of a Russian to an American, I realized in many ways our styles of walking represented our heritages. Russians walk as a people bowed under the oppression of a tyrannical government. Americans walk confidently as free men and women.

And so, I’ve developed a new appreciation for our freedom. Yes, our freedom to choose to love or hate, agree or disagree, to freely worship God, or choose to not believe, to smile or not smile. It’s true; things are far from perfect in America. Compared to Russia and many other countries, we are still a young country going through growing pains. But I still cherish the freedom to walk with my head held high, making eye contact, and smiling. And I may shed a little tear pledging allegiance to the American flag. Because this beautiful flag represents our freedom, freedom paid for with the lives of many men and women.

I will never again take walking in freedom for granted.

Have a Happy 4th!