Quincinera

For the past six years as State Historian of Texas I have enthusiastically introduced my programs by pointing out that Texas has the richest and most colorful history and culture of any state in the Union. During the past weekend I experienced a happy cultural event with significant historical meaning. My oldest daughter, Lynn O'Neal Martinez, and her husband, Rudy Martinez, have two daughters, Chloe and Jessie. Lynn and Rudy met while in college, and after their marriage they settled in the Dallas area. Lynn has enjoyed an outstanding teaching career, and she often has taught Spanish. Like his father Juan, Rudy is an army veteran, but later he earned a CPA and now is vice president of a federal bank. Rudy's father now is deceased, and he is the oldest of four siblings, and he, along with Lynn, Chloe, and Jessie, go to Corpus Christi regularly, where they interact with his extended family.

Jessie with her portrait 

 The three Martinez ladies:  Chloe, Jessie, Lynn

 Rudy, Chloe, Jessie, and Lynn

When Chloe was 15, her grandmother, Aurora Martinez, hosted a Quincinera in her honor. Jessie was 10 at the time, and she could hardly await her turn for a Quincinera. Indeed, Jessie and Aurora have been planning the event for the past five years. Jessie's Quincinera would be held in Brownsville, because that was Aurora's home town and she had a great deal of family support there. The date set for the Quincinera was Saturday, September 1, and we all flew down the previous day, Friday. I arrived late in the day, and Lynn, Rudy, Chloe, Jessie and I had dinner together at an excellent Mexican food restaurant. The evening was made complete by the appearance of a Mariachi band.

Personalized gift bag

 Personalized water bottle

Jessie at her table

Saturday was busy throughout the day, with several trips to the house of Aurora's sister, Lupe, where the two sisters worked on numerous details. I had the pleasure of taking Lynn, Chloe, and Jessie to lunch, before they drove to Lupe's house for a hair-dressing session. Late in the afternoon we drove to the hall which had been hired for the evening. The ladies had produced beautiful decorations, including a separate table for Jessie, who wore a splendid blue dress and whose hairstyle was topped with a tiara. The first hour was spent welcoming guests. More than 100 family members were in attendance, and I had had the pleasure of meeting almost all of the adults at the wedding of Lynn and Rudy.

 Jessie with her grandparents, Aurora Martinez and Bill O'Neal

The meal was catered, and afterward a Mariachi band entered the hall, serenading Jessie at her table, including "Happy Birthday." 

The Mariachi band sang and played "Happy Birthday" to Jessie

When the band departed a disc jockey asked everyone to stand. Jessie and Rudy walked to the center of the dance floor, while Lynn brought a pair of high-heeled dance shoes to replace the tennis shoes which Jessie wore. Everyone applauded the symbolic change from tennis shoes to adult footwear, and they continued their applause as Rudy and Jessie glided through the opening dance. Next I was introduced. I presented two gifts to Jessie: a splendid Quicinera doll and a bracelet, and then I danced with my granddaughter.

Rudy and Jessie and the first dance

 Jessie's pre-dancing tennis shoes

 Lynn and Rudy help Jessie change from tennis shoes to dancing shoes

The rest of the evening featured much livelier dance music, as the hall throbbed with the rhythmic sounds of Tejano favorites. Three young men, dressed in black suits, shirts and ties, formed a line in front of the DJ and inspired everyone to participate. These young men took turns dancing with Jessie, who had a marvelous time. The party ended at eleven o'clock, as scheduled on the beautiful invitations we all had received. About half of the crowd, however, drove the short distance to Lupe's house, where an after party took place.  

Jessie dancing with her grandfather

Jessie with her Quincinera Doll 

  

Jessie's Quincinera was an inspiring example of the way in which Rudy and Lynn and their two daughters go back and forth between two cultures - frequently and seamlessly.  There will be more and more of that in the Lone Star State. In addition to the incredibly rich Hispanic contributions to Texas history and culture, Tejanos soon will make up the largest percentage of the Texas population. Catholicism, certainly a Spanish legacy, is the largest religious denomination in Texas. Spanish is the second language of Texas - and for many Texans, it is the first language. While the Spanish flag has not flown over Texas for nearly two centuries, during their long, earlier period of dominance, Spain made what has proved to be an indelible, conspicuous, prominent, unforgettable, and ongoing imprint on the history and culture - and future - of Texas.