I Had Both a Quinceañera and a Sweet Sixteen

My story is quite the opposite of what you would consider “Ni de aquí ni de allá”. I was born and raised in Mexico City and currently still live here. My mom’s family moved from Chicago to Mexico and decided to raise their family here because my grandfather found a very promising job at a growing law firm. Both my grandparents were American immigrants (polish and Irish) but considered gringos none the less when they made the move in the 50s. They had 3 sons and my mom in Mexico City and lived here their whole live until they passed. My mom grew up, blue eyes, blonde hair, gringa 100% but Mexicana at heart. A weird situación that made her stand out and receive lots of classist envy and hate. My grandfather had formed a pretty nice life for his family here. The small firm he started working at when he moved quickly grew and became one of Mexico’s top law firms called Goodrich Riquelme y Asociados.

Thanks to my grandfathers hard work my family was able to have a very privileged life in Mexico and as any well established family it was expected that you marry within for above your social class. Not my mom! She fell head over heals in love with my dad. A lower class stud she met while at a get together with friends. They dated and my mom ended up getting pregnant with me :) and was forced to marry my dad. The marriage didn’t last long and they had an ugly divorce so I ended up growing up with limited visitation and staying at my grandparents house with my mom.

That is where MY story begins. I grew up completely bilingual. At home we spoke English and Spanish fluently, we celebrated both Mexican and American holidays, we spent vacations in the States with my uncles and their families (Florida), but the rest of the year in Mexico City, I went to an American School where everything was divided and that followed both the American education and Mexican education program we also followed both countries traditions (I had both a quinceañera and a sweet sixteen).

That being said I am constantly faced with this feeling of “No soy ni de aquí no de allá”! My heart is divided in two. I feel both Mexican and American. I have both nationalities, vote in both countries, speak both languages, identify with both cultures equally and have always felt I am half and half. I’ve been judged in both countries because I don’t choose one or because I flaunt my other half ( Ay si ahora te crees muy gringa! Porque hablas inglés estamos en Mexico. You shouldn’t speak Spanish we’re in the states. I didn’t think you were Mexican you don’t look like it. Que presumida que hablas inglés. Your English is so good for a Mexican. You don’t have an accent. Why do you choose to live in Mexico ? You should work in the States!)

That is my story. La historia de la Mexicana Americana con el corazón dividido. Her heart divided but proud of her story and really happy to share it with you. I will raise my children like I am, with both cultures, with both being a strong part of who they are. They should be proud of where they come from.