So my one Jazzercise instructor told us she is going to a semi-formal party tonight.  The birthday girl was born on this date in 1955, and she is turning 55 today!  Born on 5-5-55, turning 55!  Yup, I'd be partying too!

But let's talk Hispanic romance for a moment.  Am I Hispanic?  No...but today everyone in the U.S. is a Hispanic-wannabe, just like on St. Patricks day everyone is Irish.  Any excuse for a fiesta, right?
But I AM the child of immigrant, as most of us are, if we look back far enough.  One of the hallmarks of immigrant families is that usually there are lots of children, and that is a good thing for our economy.  In insular countries like Japan they are worried about their entire race disappearing not too far in the future, what with their birthrate being too small to even replace those who are already there, much less produce the workers needed for tomorrow.  Lucky for us, we always have a new wave of immigrants seeking the freedom guaranteed by the extraordinary promise of the USA. 
How have Hispanics contributed?  Hello, tacos anyone?  Salsa is the biggest condiment in the grocery stores these days, and no one blinks an eye at hot foods anymore, though some like it hotter than others.  Mexican is the second most popular ethnic genre of food for restaurants.  Don't believe me?  Just try to get into a Mexican restaurant today!
And that's not even to mention bailar...to dance!  Salsa as a music style has been infiltrating our ears for years...Carlos Santana was just a youngster when Desi Arnaz and Tito Fuentes were making our grandparents dance.  And what is music but the enjoyment of life, of having bodies that can move to the rhythms of life?  ¡Oye como va!

So my Reyes Family Romances are all about the various Reyes family members looking for love while living their lives, and finding it when they least expect it.  They fall in love, realize they can't live without that person, then they get married and have children.  That is the way of life.  As it is, as it has always been. 
So check out the next few pages to see which one you want to read first.  Then pull up un refresco frio of your choice, and ¡bienvenido a mi imaginación!