10/15/2026
I’ve seen my mom drink an alcoholic beverage maybe twice in my life. It was never for her. Her son spending his life in a bar couldn’t be more opposite from the example she set. That did not stop her and my father from opening up their checkbook to support me when I needed help buying The Marquis II.
I’ve spent thousands of nights here at the bar and have been a part of many conversations. Some brilliant, some funny, some incredibly emotional, but all a connection with somebody else. Bringing people together is all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life after the very first shift I worked here. I’ll never tire of the laughter that fills these walls. I often wonder if my mom would have enjoyed those late evenings of conversation and connection.
Something wonderful happened a few weeks ago after a Texans game. I had a group of people in from out of town. When I inquired where they were from, they told me the Valley. Pharr, to be exact. I told them my parents were graduates of PSJA in Pharr. “Do they know..” game soon followed. I did not have the answers but I knew my mom would. It’s almost 10:30pm. Maybe I shouldn’t bother her. Like all loving mothers do, she answered my text.
A trip down memory lane was the destination for the next hour. I texted my mom questions and she quickly answered. It was as if my mom was in one of my old chairs here at the bar connecting with strangers. She was a part of the late night conversation that bring people together. One customer even called her mom and asked about my mom and our family. Her mother mentioned my aunts and uncles and, of course, my mom.
As I shut down the bar for the night, I reflected on the events of the evening and it made me smile to know my mom was here.
Cristian and Olivia’s father is but a humble storyteller. I try to bring people together. I hope that’s a family business they will always want to be a part of. I hope I leave them a story to tell in rooms I’ll never sit in. I hope I make them proud.
All we can leave is our story. Go live a great story.
