I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. Three things that I love are: 1) America, 2) the fall season, and 3) my boyfriend. What better way to combine them into a sequence of fun dates by going apple picking with him and then make apple pie together. But it also got me thinking about what it means to be an American.

This weekend, I had the privilege of going apple picking with my boyfriend in Victor, NY. It was a gloomy Friday morning, rain was in the forecast, and it was drizzling on and off, but our plans were set weeks in advance, so Mother Nature did not deter us. After my field hockey practice first thing in the morning, we set off to Webster, NY, to find out that our first stop was only a cider mill with no apple trees in sight. We proceed to a nearby orchard. We drive down the dirt road to the entrance, and the gate to the apple picking area says “Closed.” We drive further to the signs of life, customers shopping at a farm stand. According to the attendant, only the stand is open today due to the weather. Disappointed, I remember the location where my sorority has gone apple picking. To save extra driving, we call first before leaving. They are open for business! Sweet! We now have a Plan B. Backtracking to head due south, we experience the vibrant colors that Rochester’s changing trees have to offer in the fall. It is beautiful, and luckily, we have the free time to take the scenic route. Finally, we arrive at the orchards.

The trees are wet, and the ground is a carpet of fallen apples. We seek Empire apples for eating and Cortlands for our apple pie. The rows are clear and perfect for chasing each other through a maze, allowing us to duck under branches and avoid the smushed fruits. We are two 20-somethings, but it’s like we're kids again, roaming through the wilderness, within the orchards, and the best part of all-it's all free! At this point, nothing else matters besides the two of us. A family is in the adjacent row, introducing the red fruits of nature to their baby.

Some literature describes the apple as a “forbidden fruit,” particularly in the Bible, where you can read the story of Adam and Eve, a serpent, and a tempting apple. However, there are many other symbols and metaphors for apples, even some of good luck. A bright, polished, red apple has been a traditional gift for children’s teachers for generations, and thus, it is often associated with knowledge and education. I love country music, and as you may know, country songs are heavily laden with traditional American references. One popular phrase we’ve probably all heard is that something very American is “as American as Apple Pie.” It's funny to some because one characteristic Americans are known for is claiming to invent just about everything. However, unfortunately, for those who like to equate apple pie with being American, apple pie did not originate in America; neither did the apple itself. Both were brought over to the New World on the early settlers’ ships. Pies were first used as a way to efficiently and cheaply store and transport food without it spoiling. But the original pie crusts were not the irresistible flaky crust we enjoy today. Without the use of butter, those original pie crusts were tough. Now, who wants to eat a tough crust? No one. The introduction of butter and adding fruit as an ingredient to the pies began the creation of the seemingly endless variety of pies we have today, including apple.

I love country music, I love our flag, and I do LOVE me some warm apple pie, especially in fall, but each of these things means more to me than that. Each represents Americans in our diversity, agriculturally as well as socially. I am American not BECAUSE I love apple pie, but because:

1. I recognize our diversity in race, religion, culture, gender, and sexuality.
2. I appreciate our independence and individualistic characteristics.
3. I believe in freedom of choice.
4. I love to smile.
5. I tip appropriately.
6. I do not discriminate.
7. Time is of the essence to me.
8. I believe in liberty.
9. I believe in justice.
10. I believe in the pursuit of happiness.

It is amazing to me how a simple and fun trip to an apple orchard and a simple dessert like apple pie can mean so much. So if you and your significant other are ever looking for any good date ideas, then I highly suggest going apple picking together. It’s a ton of fun, and if you are a college student like me, then you get apples for a fraction of what the dining hall charges at school. Plus, the apple cider … c’mon now, you know you can’t resist it-especially at this time of year.

I genuinely enjoy any time that I get to spend with my boyfriend; he’s my best friend, and we enjoy sharing just about any kind of activity together. But this weekend, it all started with an apple. Thanks, Johnny Appleseed!

So, enjoy fall, drink some cider, make a date to go apple picking, and maybe make or just eat a slice or two of apple pie, and think to yourself, “What does being an American mean to me?”