I will never forget her brown eyes. All Freebirds employees are excellent judges of taste, but I like to believe that they are also excellent judges of character. This trip to Freebirds started out like any other. I progressed down the line, as my personal chef paid careful attention to my preferences and created a piece of art that was my Full Bird. For most, the Death Sauce is enough to give their burrito the kick it needs, but some like it hot. The Habanero Sauce is just what I need to remember that I am alive. I like to consider myself quite the macho man, but what I think is irrelevant. I have to receive that recognition from someone I trust. Who in the world could I trust more then the person who provides me with the greatest experience to ever be wrapped in foil? She looked me in the eye and asked what type of sauce I would like. Confidently I replied, “habanero.” She turned her gaze down to the work in progress and began dousing the liquid fire over the rest of the delectable ingredients. “Tell me when,” she said.

The trick is to wait. Don’t cave. With every dash, the temptation is the shout, “Stop!” Wait it out. This is where you learn the measure of your stature. Eventually the burrito artist will look up form their work and question your fortitude, “Just tell me when to stop.” The longer this takes, the more confident you can be how others view you.

After a few moments I was surprised that she was still shaking the bottle over my Bird. Intent in her work, she kept her head turned down and continued to evenly coat the surface of the open-faced burrito with the condiment formed in the blistering heart of hell. I curled my toes and grit my teeth, and then just when I thought I could bear it no more, she lifted her head as if to signify that I had passed the test. I have never seen a more beautiful set of eyes. “Yes, you can stop now!” I screamed. Later, as I was enjoying my silver clad piece of heaven, my friend asked me why I was crying. “They are tears of joy,” I explained. “Never before has anyone thought so highly of me or given me more credit then my brown eyed girl did today.”