07/04/2026
πΊπΈ Happy Independence Day πΊπΈ
Five and a half years ago, I left everything I had ever known in Thailand and moved to America with three suitcases.
I had never lived anywhere else before.
To be honest, I was scared.
I didnβt know anyone here except my husband. I didnβt know what my future would look like, or if I would ever truly find my place in this country.
But America gave me something I will always be grateful for.
A chance.
A chance to work hard.
A chance to start over.
A chance to build a life.
I went to cooking school because I wanted to become a better chef. ,my husband and I started selling Thai food at Tower Grove Farmersβ Market.
It was just the two of us.
Loading the van before sunrise.
Preparing every ingredient by hand.
Cooking every meal ourselves.
Some days were exhausting.
Some days we wondered if we were doing the right thing.
But every week, more people came back.
Some brought their friends.
Some became regulars.
Before we knew it, those regulars felt like family.
Because of your support, we were able to save enough to open Tee Rak Thai.
I still remember walking into an empty building for the first time.
There was nothing inside.
Just four wallsβ¦
and a dream.
Today, when I look around our restaurant and see people laughing, celebrating birthdays, going on first dates, introducing friends to Thai food, or simply sharing a meal togetherβ¦
I realize that Tee Rak Thai has become so much more than a restaurant.
It has become a place where people connect.
A place that reminds me why I took that leap five and a half years ago.
A few months ago, I became an American citizen.
Standing there with the American flag in my hand, I couldnβt stop thinking about the girl who arrived here years ago with three suitcases, so many questions, and so much uncertainty.
If I could go back and tell her one thing, it would be this:
Everything is going to be okay.
To everyone who has ever visited our farmers market boothβ¦
Walked through our restaurant doorsβ¦
Recommended us to a friendβ¦
Or simply believed in usβ¦
Thank you.
You didnβt just support a small business.
You helped me build a life.
Happy Independence Day.
With all my heart,
Alada
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