Jul 30, 2010 ... the list and get it all done in time. First things first, I wanted excellent invitations to
set the mood of my party. I had my photos professionally done ...
JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2010
The Grand Rapids Times
My Sweet 16 Birthday Party th
By Kyra Hull
F
rom the day I started watching the TV show “Sweet Sixteen” until May, 29th 2010 (not my real birthday), I looked forward to the day I would be introduced to the world as having reached my first milestone in becoming a young lady. I was born on May 26, 1994 and growing up my family held many big parties to bond with family and friends. I know this may sound funny but my mom wanted me to have a Quince a Nera-N (a Mexican 15th birthday Celebration). This all made my mom’s Hispanic friends laugh because they joked that African Americans are always late, meaning I was a year late celebrating my Quince a Nera-N. My Mom’s friends wanted to help make this celebration memorable for me. Even though I’m not Hispanic, the thought of having a taco bar was my mom’s idea; and when it comes to eating Spanish food, you wouldn’t believe I am African American because I love it to death. The first step to planning was organizing a list of things needed for the party. The next thing was to follow the list and get it all done in time. First things first, I wanted excellent invitations to set the mood of my party. I had my photos professionally done by a relative. I couldn’t have been more pleased. A recent photo of me and one when I was a baby were on the front of the invitation. After taking many votes for the color décor, I went with a
hue of coral and cream which, I might add, looks lovely on me. These colors were incorporated onto my invites. I had to find a dress, so many to choose from. After buying dresses and hating them, I walked into my basement and there it was … a dress I wanted, not perfect, but it might work, but it would work. After I talked to my aunt, she decided that she had the knowhow to turn this dress into a master piece of my dream. My aunt lives in Detroit, so I had to mail the dress to her. I didn’t get an opportunity to see the dress until the day of the party. I was very pleasantly surprised. My friend’s parents volunteered to help with the decorations and video recording. My Mom’s two friends volunteered the use of their Hummers one was black and the other one was white. The court and my escorts were transported to the party riding in style. The all - girl court arrived in the Black Hummer. I rode in the White Hummer and was escorted by friends Michael and Matthew who are twins. They escorted me into the Grand Rapids Township Hall, where a red carpet awaited me. I sat in a special, decorated chair decorated with Michael and Matthew standing beside me. To my surprise, my father followed the three of us with a pillow with my dress shoes standing on top. My father kneeled and removed the flat shoes I was wearing and replaced them
with the new dress shoes that matched my dress. This was a symbol of my changing role at 16 to becoming a young lady. It was my Mom’s idea. Anika Smith who is a minister, prayed for my guidance as I make the transformation from a child to a young lady; afterwards, my father and I danced together. With the new shoes on my feet, I danced the night away: and when the party got really hype, I danced with no shoes at all.
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