From day one, you’ve been seeing and calling your little girl “Princess.” You taught her how to crawl, how to walk, how to run, how to ride a bicycle, how to dance and how to be amazing. Then, one day, your daughter asks you how to put eyeliner on, how to properly use a hair straighter, your advice on what to wear. Suddenly, you notice that your little girl, tu princessa, is growing up.
This is what happens to parents when they celebrate their daughter's quince. They're having flashbacks to when their daughter was a baby girl growing up. This is why having a quinceañera is important.
Quinceañera is an Inherited Tradition
When you're having a quince, it not just for the birthday girl. It’s for the parents. The quinceañera can be second generation or third in your family, and celebrating her quince gives you the chance to teach her more about your Mexican culture. That can be through music, through dance, through food or even through attire. It gives you the chance to bring Mexico to her. Just image, having the family together and celebrate like when you were growing up in Mexico.
Most Hispanic women celebrated their quince. It might have been a family dinner, or a huge luxurious celebration, but it was meaningful. The celebration had a taste of Mexico. And if your daughter is third generation, it gives you the opportunity to bring a part of you into her world.
Teaches Your Daughter Important Family Values
Quinceañera is a cultural traditional celebration, and it teaches your daughter an important cultural value: family. Or at least that how I see it as. Planning a quince requires family support. That be financially, emotionally, having family helping you plan the quince, or family traveling to be there for you.
There are families that will travel from Mexico to be present on your daughter's quince. And it can be family members that your daughter might never have meet, so this gives your daughter a chance to meet and interact with distant family. Or you might have family that live in other states and they will drive or fly in order to celebrate with you.
It teaches your daughter that family will ALWAYS be there, or at least they should. Family must always come first, be there to celebrate, be there to cry, be there for you whenever you need them. Again, this is how I see it.
Giving Thanks to God and Celebrating a Life
With every quince, there is a Mass/Service ceremony and a fiesta. It’s a two-part celebration. The first part is time dedicated to God and giving thanks for 15 wonderful years. The priest or the Pastor will do a reading and explain to the quinceañera and family what this landmark birthday is about. And it's within the word itself - “Mis Quince Años, Los Quince Años, La Quinceañera” - it’s celebrating fifteen years of life, what your daughter's childhood was, what expectations you, as the parent, might have for your daughter and how you daughter can continue living her life honoring God. It taking the time to be grateful.
The second part of a quinceañera is la fiesta, the party. This is when you, your family and your daughter celebrate. Your daughter will dance with her court of honor (brothers, cousins, and friends), the father and daughter dance, mother and daughter dance, a dancing with the padrinos, and a surprise dance. There might mariachi, banda, or a groupo. Basically, this is when your daughter has everyone’s attention. It’s her moment to shine! And you and your family are going to be dancing all night with her.
Your little girl is growing up into a young lady.
Overall, why is a quinceañera important? You are celebrating your daughter. Your little princess will BE the princess for an entire day, may be two – if you count el recalentado. She’ll be wearing the most beautiful gown, she’ll waltz with her brother(s), cousins, friends, and learn about family. It’s a day to be grateful and a day to celebrate life. It’s a tradition that needs to be taught and pass on for generations.
Why do you think a quinceañera is important? Did you remember your quince? Let me know in the comments below.
Love, Janet.
Personal Note from the Author
Can I take the opportunity to introduce myself? I’ve recently started blogging and I wanted to say two things: Hola, bienvenios! Hello & welcome! My name is Janet and I’m a quinceañera photographer who loves photographing family traditions and help you enjoy a great time with your family. Most weekends, you’ll find me at the movie theaters or at the mall. I’d be honored to connect with you.
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