I know you are thinking that this is going to be all about how I love making Tamales. It will be that, and it will also be about my story. Everyone has a story to tell. In today's world anyone can start a blog and tell their story. That is exactly what I am going to do. I am going to tell you exactly how this cooking passion of mine came in to existence.

There is one memory in particular that stands out in my head when it comes to tamales. I think I was somewhere around 8 years old. I remember vividly the smile on my father’s face as he sat at the table making tamales with our family. When I say our family, I mean my aunts and uncles, his brothers and sisters, and of course the matriarch of the family, his mom, my grandmother.

I remember feeling happy for my father as he sat there with his brothers and sisters. I enjoyed seeing my dad smile. I remember feeling a warm feeling of love come over me whenever the entire family was together. Here is the thing, I wasn't raised by my father. I was raised by my grandfather and grandmother. I only saw my dad on the weekends. It made it even more special that he was staying for a whole night.

As I made my way to the table to be a part of the family. That feeling stood with me and I didn't want it to end. I was enjoying the sound of genuine laughter, it was happy laughter. Not forced or fake laughing. Genuine laughter from a family who really loved each other. My grandmother had six children and the table was only big enough to seat 5, max. There wasn't any room for me to sit at the table. I scooted next to my dad and just watched him as he made tamales and had fun with his family.

That single memory drove me to start 3941 Tamales. The simple act of watching my family enjoy each other’s company still fills me up with joy. I want to pass on that joy to you.