Quinceneras have always been a very traditional celebration for latinas where they celebrate their fifteenth birthday and a girl's transformation from childhood to adulthood. But there aren't just quinceaneras, there are also Sweet 16’s, a more American way of celebrating. 

When I was younger, I always wanted to have a quinceanera, until one day around the age of 9 I decided to tell both my parents that I didn't want to have one anymore and that I would be fine without one. 

My parents had split up and I've always been the emotional, sensitive type of girl, so when that happened I was very hurt, and the last thing I wanted to worry about was having a Quincenera. When my parents got divorced I felt betrayed, especially because I used to be my daddy's girl according to everyone, and now he was the one to leave. That feeling was the worst feeling I could have ever experienced in the moment, but after time I accepted it. I started to see my mom and how she had to do it all on her own as a single mother. She kept moving forward, and I realized I could as well, and that life doesn't stop because of something you go through. 

A year later, my mom and family continued to ask me if I wanted one and I would always answer with ¨No¨. Because I would always say to myself, ¨why have a quince if my parents aren't together and my dream quinceanera isn't going to be possible, and why make my mom spend so much money on a party when we can use that money for something else.¨ Until one day when I turned 10, a couple months later I went to my cousin's quinceanera and it looked amazing. In her turquoise blue dress that reminded me of Cinderella when she went to the ball.

But I would continue telling my family how I didnt want one, while secretly looking for ideas on how I wanted my dream quince to be. I had an album for all the screenshots of the ideas I would take on my tiny, white, glass from the back cracked iPhone 4. I had my whole quinceanera planned on one album but continued to say I didn't want one, until one day around the age of 12 I decided to go on my tiny iPhone 4 that was the size of my hand and pull up a photo of a white mexican themed dress with red roses all over it, and a long beautiful tail behind it. 

When I faced my phone to my mom she smiles and says to me in Spanish ¨no que no querías fiesta tú?¨ and i look at her and say ¨no quería pero ahora si, y hasta tengo idea de lo que quiero tener y hacer.¨” Then we sat there and had a long talk about what I already had in mind, for example themes, dresses, decorations, songs, and etc. After a long conversation I committed to a theme. Mexican Themed! 

My cousin is a couple months older than me. She had hers the way I wanted, had a Mexican themed party, dress, and everything I wanted. After that I then wanted to change my whole theme so I did, well a bit. I changed it to just my theme being black with pink flowers, and my dream dress staying the same because the day I saw it I fell in love. 

But at the end of the day covid hit us and i had my quince postponed for two years which means I had a sweet 16 but it was crazy to think i had it 5 months before turning 17. But after waiting 2 years I did end up having my dream party. 

December 17.2021. That morning I woke up and looked outside at the bright blinding sun and trees that smoothly moves side to side. It was 7:00am and there were about 12 of us in one small two story apartment already having our own party in my house while getting ready before even arriving at the venue. After all 12 of us were ready we all left for church. I walked to the church since it was about a 5 minute walk, but I regret walking it that day, it felt like I was running a marathon in that dress that weighed more than 200 pounds.  While walking to church all I could think about was about the moment that I had to go up and read a section of the book in front of my whole family because I had practiced reading at home the night before and morning of my party and didnt feel ready and thought I would mess up. But luckily I didn't, I nailed it and honestly really slayed up there. After church is when the party really started! I felt like a princess that day when the shiny, squeaky clean party bus arrived as soon as church ended. I got on the party bus with some friends and cousins and headed to take photos. When I was taking photos, I couldnt stop thinking about when I would get my photos, and have a big photo in my house with me in my dream quince dress. when I said I felt like a princess I did, people were complimenting me and how I looked and it was the best feeling. Because it was a special day for me and it was the day that it was really all about me. We then headed to McDonalds to get some food right after. That was honestly the funniest part out of it all because the people there were all confused. 

But the after is when the fiesta really started!! 

I had the time of my life at my party with all my family and friends that were able to attend. I especially enjoyed it when I danced with my mom for the mother and daughter dance and when I did my baile sorpresa with my sister and dance teacher and dance partners. It was the best night ever. I enjoyed taking photos with everybody and dancing. I had a blast! But I can't leave out my favorite part, when the banda arrived it was the best thing ever. I danced with all my aunts and uncles in a circle and not just that but with the band playing, it was the best. 

I had an amazing fiesta and had the time of my life, even though after my party I never got any of my party Sweet 16 photos. It was a night to remember even if it wasn't on a piece of paper.