Karlibeth Villarreal

Naval Inspired Chambelán Outfits

Karlibeth Villarreal celebrated her quinceañera on Feb. 25. The hall where her reception took place was decorated with white linens; chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Towering above each table were flower arrangements made with white roses and hydrangeas. At the reception guests danced to a DJ and band.

On Having a Quinceañera

Her parents, Leonardo Tecaxco and Elena Villarreal, saved for about three years and paid more than $18,000 for the celebration. Much of the costs were covered by them since they did not have padrinos, or patrons. (Tecaxco says that in Puebla, Mexico, where he is from, it is custom to give padrinos a gift basket or another thank-you for their contributions to the celebration.) In Spanish, he says, “We didn’t want that; if she had padrinos for a quinceañera you need a minimum of 10.”

Magali Villarreal, Karlibeth’s older sister, said that the family sacrificed to save money. “Normally on Christmas we go all out,” she says, but “this year we kept it simple.”

Proud Family

Karlibeth’s parents said they felt joy and pride because they were able to have a celebration for their daughter.

Two years ago, Karlibeth’s baby brother died. “If he was here,” Tecaxco says, “we would be able to give him what he wanted. And right now she is with us and if she wanted [a quinceañera], it was our goal to give her that.”

Elena Villarreal, also speaking in Spanish, recalls, “When we lost our baby, we valued life more. That’s why we said that she’s our daughter and we are here with her now. Maybe tomorrow we won’t be with her anymore, and now that we are alive, we tried to make her dream a reality.”

Villarreal said that in life women also suffer more and that a quinceañera is one of the celebrations that a woman looks forward to.

Blue Everything

Karlibeth’s oldest sister Areli celebrated her quinceañera in Mexico about 10 years ago. Magali did not have a quinceañera because the family was paying for Areli to go to college and couldn’t afford a celebration.

“I wish I would have had one,” Magali says, “but I understand that we didn't have the resources to make me one.” Magali says that it is when she sees her sister’s quinceañera video that she gets sentimental and wishes she would have had one.

On Her Boyfriend Being Part of the Quinceañera

Karlibeth’s older sisters also helped her cover some of the costs. Magali got her shoes and crown. She was also present during all of the sessions in which Karlibeth and her court practiced the waltz. “I try to be the most involved with her so she knows that she has that emotional support from me,” Magali says.