50

50. Wow. Looking back and reflecting on a life filled with amazing things, I have learned and experienced so much. If I could list the 10 most important things that have impacted and shaped me over the last 50 years, they would be the following. These are my principles, and I strive to live by them every day:

1. Family First: Family first. Always. Through all the ups and downs, the importance of family for me remains constant.

Kids: Man, I love those little munchkins. Those who know us well understand the significant role our kids play in our lives. Leaving behind our Caribbean dream life to be closer to them, as they navigate through university and the hardcore lifestyle of dutch students, was the most logical decision we've ever made. Trading endless sunshine and sandy beaches for the unpredictable and often unpleasant Dutch weather, just to have a few more moments with our kids during this amazing phase of their lives, still feels like a no-brainer to us. They are the center of our lives, filling every day with boundless joy and delightful madness. We are so proud of them.

Our Family: Even though our parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws and other family members are all over the globe, they have always been there when I needed them most. Always ready to listen and offer help when they can. I love you all very much.

2. The Wifey: Marlow Heijmans - de la Fuente-Saez is truly my anchor, the one who keeps me steady and grounded on Terra Firma. She has the incredible superwoman ability to see through all the noise and keep everything genuine and honest. She's an amazing mother, an unstoppable athlete, and a tireless force that just keeps powering on, no matter what. She’s an absolute powerhouse—a true inspiration. Me lucky. Me Proud. Me Happy.

3. Friendship: Over the past 50 years, I've met countless people and built a vast network across the globe. Yet, I can still count my true friends on two hands. These friends have been with me since my early years. Despite seeing them rarely, as they're scattered worldwide, my love and respect for them have only deepened with time. You guys are incredible, and I'm so proud to call you my true friends. Shoutout to my brother Rick Polman for being my oldest and best friend for over 45 years.

4. Adaptability: Traveling the world since my youth and living and working in various countries has taught me to be adaptable. I've learned to navigate diverse cultures, languages, and unexpected challenges. I'm proud to say that my international experiences have made me flexible enough to adapt anywhere—even if it means feeling at home nowhere. The curse of the expat.

5. Resilience Through Challenges: Resilience is a word I learned during my first entrepreneurial years, and I initially thought it meant "being tough." I later learned that it means bouncing back, which is even more important than being tough. This realization shifted my focus entirely. It was all about resilience. I embraced sports, nutrition, and meditation as my main tools to help me rebound to my most optimal state, ensuring I have the stamina and mental clarity to tackle any challenge on my path.

Now, as I hit 50, I'm not slowing down. As a matter of fact, I feel like I'm just getting started.

6. Appreciation for Where I Am in Life and What I Have: My brother's illness and passing reinforced this lesson in a painful but still beautiful way. My brother, my hero. Larger than life. The dude who created a vast wine empire and celebrated life in ways that many of us can only dream of. He was the definition of self-made success and awesomeness.

Yet, as his life drew to a terminal close, all that success could not fix him. I tried to spend as much time with him as I could and still recall a cherished moment, at the end of the day, on top of the stunning Parkview mountain overlooking Hong Kong. Pato had lost his ability to move and see, but even in that vulnerable state, he was exerting an enormous dose of positive big brother energy onto me.

At that stage, it was all about the littlest things in life. I clearly recall that moment, both of us had our eyes closed, simply absorbing the warm golden rays of the Hong Kong sun. My hand on his shoulder. Patricio de la Fuente Saez was savoring a sneaky piece of chocolate I gave him, enjoying every second of it.

We were both mentally exhausted. We exchanged no words, simply enjoying each other’s company. It was as if time stood still, but I saw the smile on his face, in that golden sun.

It was a simple, perfect moment shared with his little brother—And it clearly defined what truly matters in life. From that moment, I appreciated life even more every day. 

Like many of us, I've wrestled with feelings of ego and greed, constantly questioning whether I've done enough or achieved enough. It's a common struggle. Social media distorted that world even more.

The reality is, that's not what truly matters. The most important things is that you feel happy, that you proud of yourself, and enjoy each day with the people you truly care about. 

7. Keeping It Real: Be authentic. One of my best friends once reminded me, as I wrote about Pato’s illness and our journey together, to always write from the heart. At the time, I was attempting to shield the pain my family and I felt, trying to paint a picture of hope where none existed. That piece of advice truly opened my heart. By sharing our real pain, I found that it deepened our connections with family and friends immeasurably.

My advice to everyone is simple: be real. It's the truest version of yourself.

8. Rule Number 1: Before his passing, my brother and I wrote down all his "rules to success." Being the legend he was, Rule Number 1 was obviously the one rule that ruled them all.

Rule Number 1 clearly states that "Thou shalt not work with A$$holes”. And how true this is.If you remove all a$$holes from your personal and business life, you will be much happier and will achieve more.

9. Balance Is Key: Balancing family life, health, work, and personal passions is essential and can be complicated. The truth is that I lost that balance for a large and significant part of my entrepreneurial life, and it not only impacted me in a big way but also had adverse effects on those close to me. It was painful and destructive, and I really struggled to regain what was lost.

I am very grateful that my wife, kids, family, and good friends helped me find that balance again. 

And I am determined to keep the balance.

10. Happiness and Joy. It Is (Really) All That Matters: Reflecting on the last 50 years, I'm more convinced than ever that happiness is what life is all about. It’s the ultimate goal. To be happy and surrounded by people who bring joy and happiness into each other’s lives—even if that group is very small. That’s all we need. It's that simple. It is important to set your own happiness objectives early on, ensuring they reflect your objectives, not just what you think others expect from you.

I strive to be happy and appreciate each day. And remind myself how fortunate we are to live as we do, especially in comparison to so many others worldwide. And that realization gives me tons of positive energy to make the absolute best of it.

That energy alone will keep me going for another 50 years.

Thank you all for being a part of this day!

Rule Number 2: “Surround yourself with happy, positive people, and good things will happen.”

• Pato de la Fuente (8/11/1972 - 4/7/2017)