Growing up in a Hispanic family where there were always parties going on almost every weekend and family reunions every year almost, was something you never will forget. When I turned sixteen I had a Sweet Sixteen to be exact I had two, one in San Benito Tx, and in Houston Tx. So, when my second daughter turned 13 she already was speaking of having a Quinceanera. To those that don't know what a Quince is it's just a party we throw for a young lady that is becoming of age as I call it a Young Lady getting ready for Adulthood. So, in our culture or in my family we go all out and I mean all out. Here is the journey we took to get there so my daughter could have, "A Girls Dream."
Like I've said before, I didn't think I would make it to this day, to see my daughter all dolled up. This Journey took place in February 2020 when Matt and I decided we would dive in and plan this dream party my Daughter Devonnie dreamed of for so long. To our surprise she had her theme already picked out, it was going to be and Enchanted Forest. To make things even more amazing during this journey, when my family found out and I had also announced it, I started to get phone calls telling me they wanted to help us make her dream come true. My family is amazing. My Mom, my Queen stepped up and said she would get her the dream dress she deserved. My cousins, my sisters and brothers in laws, especially her Godparents, what can I say about them, they were amazing. They were my heroes in all this planning. I couldn't have done it without any of my army. My daughter was truly blessed.
In October 2020, we set off to find our Event center and to pick the dress. This part of the year was a bit of a slow motion for being we were in Covid crisis but the show had to go on. So, we safely went on with our journey and made it happen. Devonnie was very involved in the planning and sometimes I felt like she was too involved, she had a lot to say and big dreams that she thought we could make happen. Who could tell her no? (laughing inside) The day we went to see two event centers was actually on my birthday and on that day she said Yes to an event center. That day I will never forget, it was my Birthday. (still laughing) The following weekend we set off to go find "the dress", this was the day I was waiting my whole motherhood for. I couldn't believe we were actually doing it, finding her dress. We went to a couple of stores to try on some dresses and of course the first one she tried on she was like, "This is the one Mom" and I'm telling myself inside, smile and nod, then looking at my Mom, my mom wasn't happy, (laughing) it was the ugliest dress I had seen. I had to tell her to slow her mind down and there were more dresses out there. (I swear, I thought I was going to have a heart attack with this kid that day) We actually had an appointment at a dress place that afternoon so we were just suppose to go kill time. Finally we make it to our destination, thank God, I don't think my mom or myself could have handled any more stores with her. I did have to tell my Mom, "Mom, remember, its Devonnie's choice and her dress," do you all know how hard that was for her? (laughing) If anybody knows my Mom, she loves Bling and more bling there is the better they will look. Yeah, it was fun watching my mom contain herself. (laughing) Just say, by the end of the day, Devonnie said, "Yes to the dress" and both my mom and I were very and I mean very happy with her choice. We all felt accomplished, that we had our event center and our Devonnie dress all picked out and ready to go for November 27, 2021. We had One whole year to plan everything.
Right after this memorable event with my daughter in the picking of her dress and event center, I fell ill in December 2nd, 2020. (Non Covid related) This was such a trying time for everyone involved. There were moments where we thought we might have to cancel. I wasn't getting better and I was declining fast and the doctors that I did see couldn't figure out what was going on. I felt like I was letting my daughter(s) down. I was trying so hard to get better and fast but the faster tried going the slower I got. I told my Mom that I wonder if whatever I was born with if there was something they missed that my age caught up with my body? All I could think of was how I was going to make my Daughter dream come true. She had been dreaming of this day for so long. I didn't have the heart to let her down. With the help of (my) family I hit that corner in September 2021 and gathered enough Ump to get going again. I had no choice because at this time we were two months away. I'm so serious, if it wasn't for my army there is no way this Quince wouldn't have gotten done. So, in late September my baby sister and her friend kicked into gear and did my daughter hair and make up and took my daughters pictures (TWICE) for the invitations that I was already behind on, she was such a blessing never missed a beat. Then we went to do cake testing and went to the venue to get a quick look to get last minute touches that our Devonnie really wanted and may I add that was the last time I took her with me to get things done. (laughing) Then, Devonnie Godmother had lots of patience with us, she was the one that designed her invitation, it was one of a kind. We were able to get those out a day after Devonnie birthday in early October. Came November it went so fast, my cousins and I went to go food tasting and my sister Valorie literally did the decorations within days before the Quince. November was so fast that I felt liked I blinked and it was the "Day." Hair trial runs to nails getting done, to dresses getting altered to tuxedos, oh my my was it so ever exciting, nerve wrecking and emotional all at once. I couldn't believe we had made it to this day.
The day had finally arrived. It was time for my Devonnie to have her special moment she had dreamed of for so long long. The night before we checked into a hotel so Devonnie could have more space to get ready and that night I looked back at everything we went through to get to this moment. I looked at my daughter and brought tears to my eyes because it hit me that this day was going to change in a way that nobody would know unless you go through what we had gone through. I was filled with joy, relief, nervous in a sense that I was praying God would give my body the strength to handle my Daughter day. We were excited that we made it happen.
Waking up the the day of her Special moment was surreal. Our favorite hair dresser came all the way to where we were that literally, probably took him an hour to get there because of traffic so he could do her hair, he has been there for us for several years and it meant the world to us that he would close his shop to come and accommodate us that day. We are forever grateful. My baby sister Hilary came to do her and everyone else makeup she was also a blessing. There is so much I can about Hilary that it would actually turn into another whole story. Long story short, she went above and beyond for our Devonnie with little hiccups on the road but was always there, from taking her niece shopping to getting her nails done, taking pictures, from picking me up to get stuff done days before. My cousins Amy and Esmi and Anica were also a big factor why this day went so smooth.
I had a private moments with my Daughter Devonnie when it was just her and I hours before the big Moment. I got to help her put on her princess gown that she was eagerly waiting for that moment. Yeah, I cried, I could not believe it was actually happening, as I was lacing her up and looking at her looking at herself in awe, I was seeing my baby becoming a Young lady right before my eyes that day. Of course we were running fashionable late but it wasn't that bad. The princess had to be perfect to meet her royal guest that evening. As we were riding on our way there you could see her excitement building up inside and out. She couldn't wait to see what was waiting for her at her Enchanted castle. The weather was perfect that day and we were ready. We were met by her Godmother and my cousins (my to go squad) ready to help get things going. We got her off and did last minutes things and then the show began.
The ceremony was perfect and we couldn't have asked for better officiating of her day. My Uncle Zeke and Aunt Isabel are the prime of examples of what it is to walk in Godly ways. They are the pillars in our family. We are very blessed to have them in our lives. They have been in our lives since the day I was born and they still are to this day.
When our daughter came to us wanting a Quince, I asked her what she wanted, what was her dream? Her dream was to have an Enchanted forest theme that she would feel like she was the Princess in the forest. She wanted butterflies, candles, greenery scene and that's what she got. She got everything she asked for and more. Her day was unique in the way that it was an intimate close family and friends less than 150 people. It was PERFECT,she was perfect and beautiful. Devonnie that night was Princess Devonnie and she felt like one too. We got to have our Mother/Daughter dance and her Father/Daughter dance. That was magical, that was the moment I was instantiating. I never got to have a father/daughter dance, so when I got to see Devonnie with her Dad was a priceless moment that I think we all felt. When I had that moment with her, all that mattered at that moment was "Her", I still couldn't believe we were in that moment. I will never forget how Beautiful she was and how sincerely grateful she was.
`Lastly, we want to thank everyone who was there to make memories with us and our Daughter. Like I said, "It takes an Army to make things happen sometimes" and I am forever grateful for everyone who was there for us when we really needed it. Special shout out to my family from Houston that took time out of their lives to come and join my family in this special occasion. Thank you. Also, thank you for everyone who intervened in our shenanigans at the end of the party. (Still laughing)
To my Daughter Devonnie,
I hope that this day was everything you imagined it would be and more. There is nothing I would do for you while I'm still breathing. I will always be there for you whenever you need me. I'll be your shoulder when you need lean on. Remember my love, the sky has no limits for your dreams, you just have to go and reach for them, nobody will give it to you. You have to go and earn it with hard work and lots of patience and determination. Keep your eyes on God and let him guide your future and never stop trying to succeed. Devonnie, remember, you are always loved and that will never change. We love you our little Giant.
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