Primera Quinceañera!

One of my students, Nelsy, invited me to her Quinceañera on Saturday night. In most spanish speaking countries, when a girl turns 15, they have a big celebration to celebrate her becoming a woman kind of. It is similar to a wedding - cake, fancy dresses, a court, dancing, music, and food! I was the only american there, which was a little intimidating but some of the honduran teachers from our school went so I sat with them. About 8 months ago Nelsy's father had a severe stroke unfortunately disabling him from walking and talking. Now, he is able to walk, with help, but still not talking. At one point, her parents got up and read her a poem, and at the end, with her mother's help - her dad got up to the mic and said "Te amo mucho" (I love you a lot) which you could tell he had to have been practicing. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place, it was really tender. But yeah it was a great time and I felt very privileged to be invited!