The Power of Family and Where We Come From

Recently, I lost my grandpa. He was 96. And while it was a sad moment, it was also the most connected I had felt to my family in a long time.

Let me back up.

My grandma and grandpa had 15 daughters. Yep, no boys. Just fifteen girls. That turned into 31 cousins and now 18 great-grandkids. So yes, we’re a big family with family history. 

Quan Sisters Reunion 

And to be honest, after my grandma passed, we kind of all drifted.

She was the glue. My grandpa loved having us all together, but it started to feel forced. We were showing up because we had to. And so, over time, we stopped showing up.

But something happened when he passed.

Everyone came back together for the funeral. Not because we had to. Because we wanted to. We cried. We laughed. We remembered our family history.

And I had this moment. One where I looked around at the chaos, the kids running wild, the aunts laughing, and thought, “This is actually really beautiful.”

We’re all different. We’ve grown apart in many ways. But here we were—still able to come together. Still a family.

Not the whole crew, but here's most of us

Discovering My Family History

It made me want to learn more about where we came from.

My grandma came from North Vietnam, during a time when bombs were literally going off in her village. Her aunt took her in and she left her family at the age of 8.  Her aunt taught her how to make and sell jewelry.

She sold jewelry on the trains and that’s how she met my grandpa—he was the security guard. And that turned into an unlikely love story. A new life. And a family.

She later started a well-known jewelry store in South Vietnam. Everyone knew who my grandparents were.

But she gave up a lot too. 

Because of the caste system, her family couldn’t visit. The one time her mom traveled from the village to see her, they stood across the street from each other. That was the first and last time they saw each other again.

Later, after the war, my grandparents lost everything. But my grandma was determined to keep the whole family together, even if they couldn’t all leave at the same time.

They came to the U.S. with nothing. Worked in canneries. Picked strawberries. My mom said when they arrived, people threw tomatoes at them.

But in typical grandma fashion, she made the most of it. “Free tomatoes,” she said. She cooked with them that night.

Mom + grandma  |  Grandma with her daughters  | Parent's wedding

How Far We’ve Come

When I think about that journey—from escaping war to starting a business to raising 15 girls and majority of the grandkids—I’m floored.

And I’m proud.

It reminded me how lucky I am to be here. To be healthy. To even have the option of self-care. Or therapy. Or rest.

My grandma didn’t have those choices.

She didn’t talk about feelings. She didn’t share her story. So I never really knew it. Not until now.

The Importance of Storytelling

In Vietnamese culture, we don’t talk about emotions. We don’t tell stories. 

But maybe we should.

Because when you learn where you came from, it changes everything. It makes you softer. More compassionate. Less judgmental.

We all assume our parents had it figured out. But imagine raising 15 kids. Starting over in a new country. With no money. No language. No support system.

They did their best.

And now it’s our turn.

Honoring the Past, Creating the Future

I want to honor my family history. I want to share it, so the next generation knows where they come from too.

Because we’re not starting from scratch. We’re standing on their shoulders.

My grandma was an entrepreneur. A visionary. She raised 15 kids and still managed to run a business.

If that’s not strength, I don’t know what is.

Reimagining What Family Means

Family isn’t perfect. It’s messy and complicated and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also the thing that keeps us grounded.

Even when we disagree. Even when we drift.

When my family came together after my grandpa passed, it reminded me of that. Of how powerful it is to be seen and known. To have people who share your blood, your laughter, your roots.

This Mother’s Day, Remember Where You Come From

This month, I invite you to reflect on your family history. Who came before you? What did they overcome?

And how are you carrying that legacy forward?

If you’re looking for a gift that’s full of love and nourishment, we’ve got a few sweet ideas:

• Mini Yummmm!Bars—perfect for party favors

• A bag of our 3 classic flavors (our best seller!)

No matter how you celebrate this season, I hope you take a moment to remember your roots.

Because understanding where we come from helps us grow into who we’re meant to be.

In Loving Memory & Honor of My Grandparents.