A Year in Guatemala: Quinceañera Only Happens Once a Year

Yesterday was the big day...Quinceañeras had finally arrived. When I looked at my calendar back in January--May 28th seemed so far away, but now it has come and gone. It went flawlessly and was a day to remember.

The morning started off with the girls getting their hair and makeup done and getting all dressed up in their dresses and heels. Each girl was able to pick the color of their dress and the style and color of their shoes. The colors varied from pink, to purple, to blue, to white and the heels were a force to be reckoned with. The day was scheduled to begin at 3pm with a mass for the house, the girls and their guests. As we were arriving to the comedor for mass it began to downpour, thunder and lightening...within minutes we had lost electricity. We continued on with mass, since it was still light out we did not need any electricity at the moment. The girls sat up in the front of the church, where gifts were given, prayers were said, songs were sung and communion was taken. When mass was finished the rain had stopped and everyone moved outside. It was time to clear the comedor for the waltz...what we had been working on so hard for the past few months. One downside we could not go on without electricity---quickly generators were found and put into place. The generators only gave enough electricity for the music--so their were no lights.

The boys--so handsome!

The girls all done up in their dresses and heals!

Group shot!

Erika, Molly and I got the kids together for a pep talk before their entrance into the comedor for the waltz. They all lined up with their partners and waited for the music to start. As the music started my heart began beating so hard and my stomach was doing somersaults..I felt like a nervous/proud mother watching her children. After the first turn the applause began and I could not wipe the smile off my face. They were doing it perfectly---everything we had worked on and all the hours we put into practice were paying off. As the music ended and the boys got down on one knee the crowd erupted into cheers and an applause. The kids walked out of the comedor and we were greeted with shreeks of excitement and smiles and hugs of accomplishment and pride. It could not have gone better!

Karla and Beyby waiting with nervousness and
excitement for the waltz to begin.

Vicky and Elmer--so proud!

All lined up and ready to go!

The day continued (without electricity/lights) and the comedor was transformed into a beautiful dinning hall with white linen table clothes, candles and flowers. Each girl had a place to sit with a vase of flowers and their picture and their five visitors/family members/friends could sit with them. An amazing dinner was served and the girls were in their element. After dinner was the cutting of the cake--a cake may I say that was taller then me. All of the girls got to help cut and give out the cake...and then the party really started.

The five layer cake--made by the kids and the baker in
the panadería

A toast to all the quiceañeras!

When dinner and the cake were finished the DJ began playing and the kids, their friends and family danced the night away--literally. The DJ began playing after dinner and played until midnight--throwing out balloons, hats, whistles and flashing all different color lights. Everyone was having a blast!

Yesterday was an amazing day--it was so fascinating and exciting to see the traditions in another culture come to life. I feel so honored to have been a part of this day and I am so proud of the girls (and their caballeros) for all their hard work and accomplishments.