Loving flavor of American melting pot

Friday I was taken out to lunch to celebrate my birthday.  My two friends (one from a former USSR nation, the other from Switzerland) debated the restaurant of choice.  The subject of debate had to do with ethnicity of food.  One loved Mexican, the other didn't.  One loved Japanese, the other didn't.  We finally settled on Italian as it appeased everyone.  I'm 100% American born and bred.  When I was a child I'd longingly wished I visit foreign lands, so I could acquire a collection of friends with exotic attributes (clothing, language, traditions).  I realized today without trying (and without travel) I've accumulated a lovely melting pot of foreign flavors - and the friendship with these ladies makes a delightful and delicious meal.  Here's to our American recipe - whose key ingredient is foreign spice!