33 Years in America — A Message of Gratitude This Fourth of July

Happy 4th of July

Today is a special day for me — more than most people around me know.

Today is the Fourth of July. And today also marks exactly 33 years since I arrived in the United States of America.

Thirty-three years. I cannot say that number without feeling something deep in my chest. Because I remember what it felt like to arrive here — not knowing the language, not knowing the culture, not knowing what my life was going to look like. I only knew one thing. I was in a country that gave people a real chance. And I was going to take it.

From not knowing a word of English — to building a life I am proud of

When I arrived, I did not speak English. Not a word. I had to learn everything from the very beginning — the language, the customs, the way things work here. It was not easy. Furthermore, it was humbling in ways I did not expect.

But this country rewarded the effort. As I learned the language, doors started to open. As I adapted to the culture, I began to understand what America truly is — not just a place, but an idea. The idea that where you come from does not determine where you end up. The idea that hard work and persistence actually pay off here. The idea that freedom is real — and with it comes the ability to build something that is entirely your own.

The education this country gave me

I went back to school here in the United States. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Business. Additionally, I did not stop there — I went on to earn not one but two Master's degrees. As an immigrant who arrived not knowing the language, that is something I never take for granted. Because this country made it possible. The opportunities, the resources, the belief that anyone who works hard enough can achieve their goals — that is America. And I am living proof.

My kids — and the milestone that made me cry this year

This year brought a milestone that stopped me in my tracks. Both of my children recently graduated. My son is now a motorcycle mechanic — and watching him work on something he genuinely loves every single day fills my heart in ways I cannot fully describe. My daughter just graduated as a hair stylist — talented, confident, and doing exactly what she was born to do.

Seeing both of my children step into careers they are passionate about — that is everything. That is why I came here 33 years ago. None of this would have been possible without the freedom this country offers. Furthermore, my children did not just graduate from their programs — they graduated into freedom. And that is the greatest gift America has ever given my family.

What Cris’s Cleaning Services means to me — and to this community

I built Cris's Cleaning Services, LLC from absolutely nothing. No investors, no safety net — just hard work, determination, and the belief that if you give people something genuinely valuable, they will trust you.

Today that company has earned over 400 five-star reviews and been voted Best of the Desert three consecutive years in a row by the very community we serve. Three years in a row — not because we asked for it, but because our clients kept choosing us. That is the kind of recognition that means everything to me.

But what means the most to me is not the awards. It is what the company does every single day. It gives busy Arizona families their time back. Furthermore, it provides real jobs to real people — mothers and fathers who take care of their families because of the work we do together. Because this country gave me an opportunity — and I want to make sure I pass that forward.

We celebrate together

Today, on this Fourth of July, I am not just celebrating a holiday. I am celebrating 33 years of a life I chose and a country that let me build it. I am celebrating my children's graduations, my family's safety and freedom, and a business that started with a dream and grew into something real. Additionally, I am celebrating every client who trusted us, every team member who showed up, and every family in The Valley that has let us into their home.

America is not perfect. However, it is a country that gives you the chance to try. And for those of us who came from somewhere else — who learned the language, adapted to the culture, studied hard, and built something from nothing — the Fourth of July means something that goes very deep.

Thank you, America. From the bottom of my heart.