Happy Birthday to Me! Let’s Get Some BBQ…

By:  Melanie Colusci

So, I have to share a little story…stay with me on this as it will make sense in the end! My birthday was in February and my husband and I were able to take a trip together after (we actually can’t remember the last time we took a trip without the kids) a very long time. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa! Well, I had casually mentioned to my husband that all I wanted for my birthday besides the trip was to go somewhere “fancy” with him for dinner. My husband is a smart man and new he should deliver. So, he made reservations at a VERY nice restaurant in Las Vegas. Sidebar…It’s important to note for those that don’t know, I’m originally from a town in the middle of nowhere Montana population 900. There are more deer and cows then people.

Fast forward to the evening of my birthday. We get dressed up and make our way to the restaurant. I learn this is going to be a new experience as it will be a six course meal with wine pairings. Since I’ve never done anything like this I’m super excited at this point! As we are seated for dinner and presented with the menu, I glance over the options and realize there is basically nothing I want to try. Now I feel the anxiety starting to rise as I’m wondering what do I do? For a person who likes to plan this was very poor planning on my part…I should have looked at the menu before! Well, I ultimately chose the vegetarian option (I’m not vegetarian) and the dinner commenced.

Being naive at fine dining, we thought wine pairings meant a taste of wine with each meal. To our surprise the wine pairings were FULL pours of wine! Remember how I said there were six courses? We aren’t big drinkers to begin with so you can only imagine how quickly the six glasses of wine hit. Well, that and the small portions of food we were served… So now we are partially drunk at this very nice restaurant hoping they don’t notice we are such novices. Finally the bill comes and we happily pay and are on our way. However, we are now a little tipsy and still hungry so what would any responsible person do in this situation? Go get BBQ! Luckily Vegas has something for everyone.

This beautiful, fancy, different dinner taught me a lot about myself. What it taught was I’m for the most part a simple person. I don’t need the complex flavors of a meal that require thought and focus. I’d much rather have my hands dirty with the simple sweet smells and flavors of some good ole’ fashioned pulled pork. Trying new experiences is important as that translates to personal growth. Knowing yourself though and honoring who you are just the way you are is equally as important.

When you allow your true self to shine through in business you will create a path to future possibility you might not have thought possible.

In learning to embrace me just as I am, I have become more comfortable in my own skin which has helped alleviate stress, anxiety and distraction from my life. It has opened up doors of opportunity and introduced me to new people that I’m so happy to know. They are “my people”. Whether they like BBQ or fine dining, it doesn’t matter. I’m sticking with BBQ!

Here’s to you. All my love,
Melanie