Dominican Republic

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One quinceañera that was particularly special to me — one I'll never forget — was my friend Kary Ledesma's quince in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where I grew up. Her family was very wealthy. Her quince was a 500-guest, black-tie affair at her family's summer home in the countryside.

I was 14 and I think this was the first time that I realized how IMPORTANT a quinceañera is. Kary had a full court and a huge cake. I remember how incredibly beautiful she looked in her white ball gown, with her hair pulled up. She looked just like a princess or a bride in a dream.

Her amazingly handsome and tall chambelán looked like a prince out of a storybook. I was very impressed; can you tell? When they danced the waltz they looked like royalty. There were flowers everywhere. Even her name was spelled out in roses that floated in the swimming pool.

I will never forget how Kary's dad serenaded her with a song that he wrote for her, while she sat on a thronelike chair. Everyone was very emotional. It was very inspiring to me, but I knew that mine would have to be simpler. My mom just did not have the means to throw a big party for me because of our financial situation. With the help of my godmother, I still had a great party and felt like a princess. After all, it's not about how much the quince costs, but about the love that goes into putting it all together.

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