"Food was at the center of every special occasion in our family. My dad, always in his element when cooking, would spend entire holidays in the kitchen. Christmas meant a big pot of chili—not traditional, but it was his favorite, and that’s what mattered most. Meanwhile, my mom and aunt would make tamales, a once-a-year tradition that turned the kitchen into a whirlwind of flour, masa, and laughter.

Birthdays had their own charm. My cousins and I would stay up late, whispering and giggling in the dark. The next morning, the smell of pancakes would fill the house, and my mom would cut them into hearts and stars, making each breakfast feel like its own celebration.

Those little moments—the tamales, the chili, the playful pancakes—were more than just food. They were the moments that tied our family together, creating lasting memories."