April 1st—a day of jokes, pranks, and fake news for the masses, but for me, it’s so much more than that. It’s a day that belonged to my mom. She loved planning the perfect prank—her April Fool’s Day masterpieces. You couldn’t escape it. You’d wake up knowing something was going to happen but never quite sure what. It was her way of turning the world upside down, just for a laugh.

But for me, April 1st is also my day. My own personal day of liberation. We all have those moments that define us, that get stitched into the fabric of who we are. For some, it’s a birthday, a milestone, or some random Tuesday where the light bulb finally went off. For me, it was the day I took control, shook off the weight of the world, and felt lighter than I’d ever imagined. A personal Freedom Day.

You know that feeling when the weight is lifted? When the chains, real or imagined, fall away? Your heart sings a different tune, your brain rewires itself in real time, and your muscles both tighten and loosen simultaneously. You exhale, but it’s not just a breath. It’s a new life. It’s as if suddenly, you can see the world for what it really is—clearer, sharper, with vibrant colors you didn’t even realize you were missing.

That’s the beauty of liberation. No one can take that feeling from you. Oh, they’ll try—oh, believe me, some will try to smother that light—but their failure just makes the victory all the sweeter. It’s like savoring a good old southern biscuits and gravy—rich, hearty, and completely satisfying. The kind of joy that lingers.

April 1st, a day for jokes, sure. But for me? It’s the day the joke stopped being on me. It’s the day I stepped into my power, liberated myself, and never looked back.