How I Think We Need to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic American Heritage Month.
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are all paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans.

According to the National Hispanic American Heritage Month website "We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success."

I love that we are all taking the time to celebrate the amazing Hispanic Americans that have achieved so much and inspired us. However, I have my own beliefs on how we should observe the month.

I am the proud daughter of immigrants. Both my parents left Mexico to come to the greatest country in the world.

My parents never let us lose the language. I didn't speak English until I was in kindergarten. When we came home from school my siblings and I spoke Spanish. My parents wanted us to be fluent in both English and Spanish. They also wanted us to have a strong work ethic and they always showed us by leading by example.

Our parents always taught us that family is everything.

Growing up we always made time to spend with family. It always involved a delicious meal and at some point all the adults sat around the table cackling and laughing over coffee and pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread). Yes, coffee late at night is a thing.

Although some of my family's traditions may be called "whitewashed" or not "Mexican enough" I think we celebrate our heritage the best way we know-how and I think you should too.

No, my family doesn't do the whole dead goat out in the front yard thing, my parents left those traditions behind in Mexico. Thank God because that tradition would have died with me.

I once had a friend ask me what my family was celebrating when she was invited to dinner with us. The answer was "we're just hanging out what do you mean?". There is no such thing as a simple dinner when my family gets together. Do you know what pairs best with delicious food and drinks? Family and laughter.

Why do Mexicans adopt everyone?

Don't have a place to celebrate the holidays? You're part of our family now. My sister Coco has become the one who hosts everyone for Thanksgiving, where we once again pair a feast with family. If you don't have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving we welcome you with open arms. Even if you aren't Mexican you'll feel like you are for the night. Yes, we have a delicious salsa that is delicious on your turkey.

It's not just my family who runs things this way. It's our culture.

Good food has the power to bring people together and it somehow brings the best out in all of us. Get started with food, add in your favorite people who feel like family and take it all in. If the drinks are flowing blare the queen Selena and Celia Cruz.

How do I think you should celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Family, food, booze, and laughter. Whatever way you decide to celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month, I hope you spend it with your crew that feels like family.