On May 16, 1989 both of my parents came from Guerrero , Mexico to the city of Inglewood to provide two of my older siblings a better life. Two years later I was born November 9, 1991. And later, two other siblings were born, a total of five siblings. Throughout our entire life we were taught that family was very important. My father would have a quote that he liked to remind us with every day about the unity in family. He would tell us that families were like a stack of twigs, if your try to break one at a time it is very easy, however if you grab a bunch of twigs and tried to break them all at once it is more difficult.

In the past my family was extremely traditional. My  family was a very machista family. My father was the decision maker, the rule setter and the boss of the house, while my mother stayed home to take care of us. In my family we would also go to catholic church on Sundays, celebrate birthdays, Quinceaneras and other Mexican traditional holidays. Quinseaneras were a big thing for our family. A quinseanera is when a girl turns fifteen and signifies the transformation of a young girl to a young lady. This celebration is very important for parents as well as the girl . Celebrations like this involve lots of food, lots of family and lots of dancing.

My family is made up of big Soccer fans. We are very lucky and honored to be “Americanistas”. When America is in a soccer match, you better bet there will be carne azada, and some drinks. My father gets very dramatic when watching these soccer matches and we love to make him company during this time. We join him when he’s screaming out his lungs when our team makes a goal.  My father owns about 25 America Jersey, all that were given to him on one of his birthdays. Because of my father’s great passion for soccer, I have developed a soccer passion as well. I began playing soccer at the age of thirteen and I have played ever since. Today I play soccer three times a week . And go watch my fiancé place soccer on Sundays.

Today it is a bit more difficult to keep the family together. My oldest sister is a single mother of three children. My older brother is separated from his wife and his four children, and is suffering from depression today. My parents have also separated, and my family is no longer the united family we were once. Women in my family are no longer tolerable of the machista lifestyles we were taught to live as children. The women in my family no longer wanted to follow rules and live their lives satisfying the men, and living an un-happy life.

Today my father lives in Arvin, California a small town just before Bakersfield, where he works in the grape and peach fields. My father re married and took my youngest sister with him. My siblings and I still go visit them at least three times a month, especially during important soccer matches. Although we far from each other we try to keep in touch as often as possible. I like to keep myself updated about my youngest sister, who I encourage to stay in school.

Even though my older siblings are separated from their partners, we still manage to get together for birthday celebrations, and special occasions such as Christmas and thanksgiving. The day my father left, my family broke apart. Although my dad was very strict and had a strong personality and character, he managed to keep the family as close as possible. However not every story has a happily ever after, my parents no longer wanted to be with each other and that was a decision that even though involved all us, was a decision to be respected by all of my siblings.

Being the middle child I also have had the privilege to learn from my older siblings mistakes and, I am blessed to have family member that advise me about making decisions in life. Being able to watch my seven nieces and nephews grow has taught me the importance of a father and a mother being present in a child’s life. But as a middle child I also have to make sure I am setting the right example to my younger siblings who look up to me.

A year ago my family also grew a bit. I got engaged to a man whose family lives in Las Vegas , Nevada. His family has also become my family, and we also go to Vegas at least once a month to spend time with his family.

My fiancé and I have our small little apartment in Los Angeles and we love to bring our families together and just enjoy each other’s presence. We talk often about how important family is, and we try our best to bring tradition back into the family. Although we find it difficult at times . We are a bog family, all in different places, but we love each other to death and that’s all that really matters at the end