I’ve been MIA for a whole month- and it’s been a crazy whirlwind of travelling all over- First we went to London for a family trip- then Grace and I flew to Germany so that we could try to fly a military flight back to the states on Space A- flew into Maine, then bought flights to Chicago for a Quinceañera, then the very next morning flew to Seattle to attend my Mother’s Memorial- THEN trekked back to the East Coast and drove to Virginia Beach, then back to DC and on to NY for a flight to Europe… THEN!!! finally after a couple more stops and layovers- HOME.
There really is ‘No Place Like A Home’- no matter where it resides!
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What is a “Quinceañera“? That’s what everyone asks-
According to Wikipedia :
(English: “fifteen years”), is a coming of age ceremony held in some Latin American cultures on a girl‘s fifteenth birthday, comparable to a Sweet Sixteen celebration. Planning begins up to a year in advance, and requires the resources of several members of the family and friends. The family priest will perform a Quinceañera ceremony in church. The girl’sbaptismal godparents will oversee the spiritual celebration, and her many friends and relatives will attend to see the recognition she will receive as she makes the transition from girl to young lady in everyone’s eyes. Quinceañera are comparable in scope and grandeur to weddings, and the party atmosphere that follows the somewhat more subdued religious atmosphere. There is a significant dress, just as with a wedding, and can be just as expensive and unique as a wedding gown. Flowers and decorations are selected to match the color scheme of the festivities, a reception is held at which guests will be served a meal and there will be dancing for all in attendance.
This was my first and I can attest it was just like a wedding- in fact- so many strangers came up to Sammy, the birthday girl, asking if it was her big wedding day- Umm… she was a wearing a beautiful lime green prom dress- I’ve never seen a woman get married in THAT color!
Check out the Sneak Preview of a few images from Samantha’s special day-click to play the slide show or scroll through the thumbnails-
Sam’s day started with the ceremony at church, then off to Millennium Park in downtown Chicago via the Hummer limousine- then to the restaurant, “Carnivale”- where she turned in a tiara for a crown, received her last doll from her father- changed out her flats for her first pair of high heels from her mom and danced the night away. A fantastic evening… It was just like a fairy tale come true…
Happy 15th Birthday Samantha -You are only 15 once- enjoy the entire year!
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by Erin L. Clark
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