Open Letter

Dear Happy Sumo,

Oh what have you done.

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would like sushi, I would have called you crazy. Oh how ignorant and short-sighted I was. And how MUCH I was missing out. It wasn't that I didn't like seafood. Quite the opposite. It started with fish sticks as a kid, worked my way into fried shrimp and then shrimp scampi. I have gone up from there. I would say up until I was introduced to sushi, Lobster was a definite high point. OH! and the BBQ salmon I had in Seattle when we bought a fresh one from Pikes Place and our friend's mom cooked it. Changed my life.

When my roommate first offered me some of her homemade sushi, I hid my gag right before I put it in my mouth (I'm sorry Kamalani, I love you. BTW, I still make your egg rolls as they are divine.) looking back on it, it was actually quite good. It was just the preconceived IDEA of it.

(And Mollie, I'm sorry darlin' that I scoffed when you bought the "How to make your own Sushi" book at the book fair at UVU. The book even came with it's own bamboo mat. If I had known then, what I know now, I would have bought one too.)

But oh, when Brad and Ashley invited us to dine at Riverwoods with you, I was skeptical. However, much to my relief. I was pregnant with Maddi at the time, and couldn't possibly partake of any sushi. And so, I was saved from any awkward questions or situations. So under that guise I safely ordered the Teriyaki Chicken with Tempura vegetables. It was divine. However, my dinner-mates were all drooling and ooohhhing and awwwing. What could possibly be so incredible? Jesse had ordered a fully cooked roll and so I bravely asked if I could see what all the fuss was about. Ohhhhhh man. It was a surf and turf roll. Steak and crab with green onion, cooked in Tempura. It was heaven in my mouth. I felt joyous and empowered. I was no longer scared of this new concept.

After having Maddi, it was my turn to plan Valentines Day. I choose you. I was so confident with my decision. But I had no idea how awesome it would be. We asked for recommendations and we ended up trying the Vegas Roll and the Sunset Roll. Amazing.

When you created the VIP club, we jumped at the chance to join. Little did we know how ominous that decision would be.

Fast forward and here we are. We received your monthly newsletter and VIP club calender. We noticed that Tuesday was Twofer night (two for one or half off). And so, we met up with Brad and Ashley and their young-un Magnum. (completely adorable by the way) . Four adults and five kids. Wow have times changed.

We all loved the Edamame, even the kids. Although Andrew was pretending they were cars and making vroom vroom noises and pushing them around before eating them. The kids loved their Bento Box they shared. They ate ALL the Tempura veggies, Teriyaki chicken, rice and crispy thingeys. And most impressive, they insisted on doing it all with chopsticks. It was amazing. Andrew is only 3, but he was able to eat his dinner, it was messy, but he did it. These are life skills here folks.

Jesse and I went absolutely crazy and decided to try some new rolls while getting some of our favorites. Since we couldn't decide between some, we ended up ordering FIVE rolls. That's right you heard me. No shame here. FIVE rolls. The Vegas, The Jezabelle, The Rockstar, The Panko Popper and The Bacon Crunch. Last time it was Twofer we ordered 4 and we took home left overs. BUT we figured leftovers were fine. However, it was so divine, we (gulp) ATE......THEM................ALLLLLLL!!!!!

However as it turns out Andrew DID help. But STILL!

So here I sit, completely full, and yet, strangely satisfied and not completely disgusted with myself for shamelessly eating so much.

So Happy Sumo, tell me....

HOW DID YOU DO THAT?

Sincerely,

Me.

Jesse's graduation dinner. The WHOLE family fit in the TINY restaurant! 25 people.

See how HAPPY Rebecca looks? It's because she just tasted heaven. And look at Grandma, she LOVES it.

*UPDATE* I just weighed myself this morning and I have lost a pound. What sort of DARK Magic IS this, Happy Sumo?