Diez y seis Dulce en Mexico (Sweet 16 in Mexico)

Last year we elected to not do the traditional "quinceñera" for Holly (a special 15th birthday party -- sort of like a wedding without a groom), and yet for our Mexican brothers & sisters in Christ, "Sweet 16" really didn't mean much. But we still had a big party, commemorating Holly's first passage into adulthood.

Maggie was determined that Holly's Sweet 16 should be really special and was party-planning for weeks. We melded in traditional Mexican aspects of birthdays like having a tres-leches (3 Milk) cake, face-slamming, and lots of party games. But it was the boyfriend who really stole the show.

Holly's boyfriend, Miguel Feliciano, created a slide show with tons of pictures, music and commentary that introduced their Mexican friends to Holly from infancy through her journey to life in Mexico. Then at 4 AM on the morning of her birthday (the party had been the night before) he arrived to serenade her with love songs and present more gifts, roses and chocolates. Needless to say, she was swept off her feet and Miguel is in (as they say in the US south) "high cotton" with Holly!

The birthday and all it's joys also reminded us all of how hard it will be to leave later this year. Holly is clear that returning for American high school is right for her, but the goodbyes are sure to be bittersweet.

Bravo, Maggie, and Bravo, Miguel, for helping to make Holly's Sweet 16 a birthday to remember. And God help us all when the time comes to say "adios por ahora." (Goodbye, for now)