happy 25th anniversary!

last month, my uncle lionel and tia yaya celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. because they live in the dallas area (coppell, to be exact. well, the coppell/lewisville area. it's confusing), we couldn't celebrate with everyone until last weekend. even then, the whole family wasn't there. i guess that's what happens when you're mexican.

but it was fun. we surprised them with dinner at zentner's daughter. the plan was to get a private room so that everyone could say how my aunt and uncle had blessed them. but we didn't get a private room, so we just settled for the dinner. oh, and we got them a suite at staybridge suites. but back to the dinner:

since joey couldn't be there (he had to work), we all headed to chick-fil-a to have dessert. since there was no one sitting at the tables outside, we decided to do the speeches there. it was great. and of course, with me being the big baby that i am, i cried all through my speech and everyone else's. i keep thinking that i'll outgrow all this emotionalism (is that even a word?!), but let's be realistic here.

the thing is this: my aunt and uncle are awesome. they don't have any children of their own, so they take care of us like we're their children. they take us shopping, buy us meals, give us money, i could go on and on...

but what means the most to me is that they, along with the rest of my aunts and uncles, are real spiritual leaders. no matter what i'm going through, i know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are lifting me and the rest of my cousins up in prayer every day.

uncle lionel and tia yaya,

thank you for being great examples of Christ to us. as cheli said that night, your influence goes beyond our lives. the lives that you have touched will continue to trickle down to our friends. those we influence are because of you. you have been an incredible blessing to this family. i love you.

p.s. oh, and tia y, thanks for the money!

the family at zentner's daughter

uncle lionel and tia yaya listening to someone (i think it was ryan) give their speech

micah giving his speech while ryan gives his ice cream a thumbs up

my aunt and uncle with most of the hernandez cousins. i think we were missing three. and yes, i know i look hideous. stupid emotions...