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My Sweet 16

Becoming A Woman

By EmPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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I was born on September 13th, 1999. If you do the math right, I'm currently 18 years old, and you might be thinking "You're Sweet 16? Seriously? That was like 2 years ago." Yes I know it was 2 years ago, but it's still something that I cherish.

Growing up in a Hispanic household you would normally be expected to have a Quinceañera (Sweet 15). Normally, having a Quince (or a Sixteen) means you're a woman. You're now going to take on the world and you're going to become the best you that you can be. You will be the person you've always planned on being, you won't let anything get in the way. However, even though now you're "a woman" you will always be your parents princess, their pride and joy (along with your siblings of course) but, when I started planning for it I was blind sided with the deaths of both my grandparents (from my mother's side). My grandfather passed away March 23rd, 2013 (now you may be thinking, "you were 13, so why was the 15 cancelled?" I'm getting to that), my grandmother passed away November 27th, 2013. I was going to have my Quinceañera a year after (in December of 2014) in DR (Dominican Republic) since most of my family lives there but it was too soon to celebrate. I couldn't bring myself to have the party only a year after they passed, and my mom couldn't bring herself to do it either. We decided on having a Sweet 16 instead.

When my Sweet 16 came around I decided I wanted to have a Paris themed party. My family loves to travel and Paris is a beautiful city I've always wanted to go to. My parents even gave me the option of a 16 or traveling to Europe, some of you may think I'm stupid for not going to Europe but I could go to Europe anytime in the future, I could only turn 16 once. Besides, I wanted to honor my grandparents with this party, it was more for them than it was for me. I wanted a 15 so that I could have the entire family together, but due to unforeseen circumstances the 16 would have to do the same, just with a smaller group. Family and family friends who I haven't seen in years came around and it was something beautiful. People who have seen me grow up, from the time I was a newborn till then, were all there.

When the time came for the "Sixteen Candles" part of the party it was very emotional. I was fighting the urge to cry, holding back all the tears I could. The first candle, I dedicated to both of my grandparents and even though they weren't there I could feel their presence. I could feel them smiling down at me and I could feel that they were happy.

After my 16 I decided that everything I do, I will do with purpose. I will always try to justify my actions. Now, I try my hardest to make them proud. Whenever I'm in a bad situation I always think "what would they do? What would they tell me to do?" and I find my answer. And this may all be confusing if you read my other posts, but trust me it makes sense. Having family and friends to push you along is what makes you stronger, it's what really helped me move onto womanhood (that's a word, right?) and now here I am. In college, studying Psychology, Pre-Med, Biology, and soon something else. Here I am, making them proud, making myself proud, and all my family and friends. Here I am doing what I love, and deciding that I will continue to do this for as long as I live. Until the day I am reunited with them and get to tell them stories of everything I accomplished.

It seems like I'm living for other people, but trust me that's only part of it. Growing up I've realized that I've always wanted to give back to everyone that has helped me along the way, so I'm helping myself by helping others.

Until next time guys! And remember, everything you do will either help you or hurt you in the future. Everything is a learning experience. Life is a big mystery where you have to go on an adventure to find the key and unlock all it's secrets, make it worth while.

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About the Creator

Em

I'm doing my best.

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