As we approach summer, it's past the time to kick off our shoes and slip into something a little more comfortable as we celebrate National Flip Flop Day!

National Flip-flop Day was founded by Tropical Smoothie Café, a franchise in the United States, and used to occur on the third Friday in June. This year, the date was changed to the first Wednesday after Memorial Day, to coincide with the arrival of summer and warmer weather.

National Flip-Flop Day is a day to celebrate the open-air comfort of flip-flops. (Interestingly, Thursday, June 1st, is National Go Barefoot Day.)

National Flip Flop Day is more than just a nod to a popular footwear; it's a day that encourages us to relax, unwind, and embrace the laid-back vibe that it represents. It's about shrugging off the formalities of everyday life and enjoying the simple pleasures. Whether you're at the beach, a barbecue, or at home, flip-flops are the perfect shoe for summer leisure activities. (Of course, many of us who live on the Gulf Coast wear them year round.)

National Flip Flop Day also carries a charitable aspect that we should not overlook. Tropical Smoothie Café, the company that originally established this unique holiday back in 2007, offers a free smoothie to customers wearing flip-flops on this day. They also run a fundraising campaign to support Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Over the years, Tropical Smoothie Café has raised millions of dollars for this cause through National Flip Flop Day, making it a day of fun, relaxation, and philanthropy.

So, let's all flip into our favorite flops today, embracing the spirit of summer, relaxation, and charitable giving. Happy National Flip Flop Day!

Now, stretch those toes out...