A childhood memory is something anybody can relate to whether it is a special birthday or just a milestone you reach as a child. Some people have more than others, but at the end of the day it's something everyone can look back at and smile about. My smile comes from the discovery of my family, well half of them anyways. You see I didn't know who my family was or where they were and that is because here in Milwaukee I only have my family and about a handful of aunts and uncles that are here too. At first I believed that they were all I had but booooy was I wrong!

It starts one summer and the year is 2010. I am on a plane and I am waking up. I look left and I see a window with a view of a city. I look right and I see my father who notices that I am awaking and shakes my head as if to rattle me out of my slumber. I laugh and ask him, "Where are we?" he replys, "Guadalajara". My eyes light up with excitement as I know that we are about to land. Either my heart rate was racing due to the freefall-like feel of the plane descending or because I was embarking on a journey with only my father to meet his side of my still unknown familia who resides in Mexico. We step out the airport with all our luggage and walk around until my uncle notices my father and calls us over. Hugs and Laughter are exchanged along with an introduction to my uncle. A heartwarming feeling overcomes me as I greet him and we leave towards the pueblo he lives in as well as where we were staying during our visit.

Upon arrival I step out, take a deep breath and notice the air was cleaner, probably due to the lack of polluting factories around the pueblo. I meet my aunt and a couple of cousins as I settle in the guest bedroom and we exchange looks of excitement and joy. The next couple of days would be much of the same as I met countless aunts, uncles and cousins all from only one side of my family. At one point I felt as if I should have been wearing a shirt that reads "Hi soy Christian" and on the back "Adios hasta luego" with all the family I was being introduced to. More than half the pueblo had to be my family! Days go by and every day filled with new family members, new questions about me and conversations about what it is like to live in America and how I am doing. The only thing that seemed to stay the same was all the food that was being served! I got so fat that summer with all the tacos, burritos and rice they served :)! I remember every night laying in bed looking out the window at the clear Mexican skies completely engulfed in stars that I had never seen back in Milwaukee. I gather my daily experiences such as cooking out with my family or kicking around a soccer ball with my cousins. As I reflect every moment I smile and end every night with a thanks to god for letting me meet these wonderful people who have welcomed me in with open arms.

It was coming down to the end of my journey and I was fully prepared to fight going back home because of the humble feeling I felt being around so many people who all loved me was one feeling I was not at all ready to give up. My dad had a surprise for me the day before our scheduled flight back home and we drove to what looked like a dance hall. My eyes analyze the scenery trying to predict what was about to unfold. I saw numerous cars, but with no people in sight. My father ties a bandana around my face as he guides me towards a door. I feel the door open and as I step in I hear very faint mumbles of a countdown. My father releases his grip on the bandana as my eyes open I see a HUGE wave of people jump out from behind tables and chairs with a synchronized shout of "Feliz Viaje!" which means "Happy Flight!". My heart instantaneously cries tears of joy as the massive group of people who I had all met during my visit had once again reappeared before my very. Hugs go all around the sounds of sniffles and the shedding of tears all over. I looked back at my father and thanked him with a hug well earned by all the planning he had put into this most wonderful going away gift. I saw a banner with my last name and I knew it was one last reunion. "What a way to end my trip" I thought as the day carried on with dancing, Piñata smashing and of course tons of food! The sun sets and my goodbyes were unpleasant as I did not want to leave, but thoughts of returning where already on my mind. We aboard our plane and as I sit in my seat once again with my father by my side we exchange a calming smile. I close my eyes as to show the end of my journey and I begin to wonder, "What will unfold in my next adventure?"

After that experience my Spanish has become more fluent. The relationship between my father and I has grown. I have more knowledge of which my family is what they are, although I have yet to meet my mom's side I am still thankful for the memories my father gave me the privilege to experience. This memory is the closest one that hits home and my only regret was that I had waited so long to do it.