Yep, thats the first thing that comes to mind and seems fitting for most of what has gone on over the past 10, 12, 15 years.
Let's see
*The "baby" started high school this year- Fuck
*We opened 4 restaurants- yep, thats a Fuck
*We helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities and the community- Fuck
*We had David Johansen, yes, New York Dolls DAVID JOHANSEN, THAT David Johansen, not once but twice play at Salt-Fuck (and thats a kind of high pitched long drawn out Fuck)
*We made my Grandmother Tillies chicken paprikash the national dish of Salt and the most highly anticipated Fall event in the North East, and this one I will give to her, because wherever she is, and looking down upon me she is saying Fuck (again in that high pitched long drawn out kind of way)
*Sprouted quite a few gray hairs, but managed to keep it all for the most part-Fuck
*I still drive the same truck I have had through all 4 restaurants, and probably the only car my kids ever remember me driving, yep-Fuck
*Ran not just 1, but 2 NYC marathons-Fuck (as in Fuck Yea)
*I was on "Chopped" and lost in the dessert round-Fuck (as in Fuck me, and you Scott Conant..fucking pasta)
*Lived to see the country elect Donald Trump as President-Yep, another Fuck (as in Holy Fuck,take that one how you will)
There are sooo many more "Fuck's", I could go on and on, but those are the first top 10 that popped in my head,so we'll leave it there for now. I have so much to be grateful for over these years as well. The family have all remained healthy, a few scares over the years but have all come out the other side. We have a great "work family" that we love as much as our own blood and are grateful for all they bring us and contribute. We have the most loyal, most giving and caring customers in the world and who really make Salt a community thing. Again, I could go on and on about how much I have to be grateful for.
So here's to looking (with a raised glass of Ballantine) at 50 square in the eyes and saying Fuck You! Bring it on 50! I may look like hell and feel 90 years old and have a bum knee and the beginnings of arthritis in my hands. I may need a nap in the afternoon, and it may take me an hour after I get out of bed to finally lose the limp and straighten my back fully. I may now need "readers" (I didn't even know that fucking word a year ago) just to read my own menu. And so what if sometimes I realize midway through the day that I put my underwear on backwards, or that I don't give a shit if my socks match. Bring it on...
