Christian and Marissa's trip to Corpus Christi - March 2002  

I hadn't.

I remember questioning her over and over again -- 'do you mean 'Celine Dion'?  She said no, 'Selena'!  Marissa and I were about 5 or 6 years old when we sat down and watched it at one of our usual family gatherings.  I remember we both were crying at the end.  To do this day I still don't know how someone would do something so awful to such an incredible person.

At the time -- although I thought I did -- I didn't really understand Selena.  All that I knew about her was what was shown in the movie. After watching it that one time, we watched it EVERY time we would see each other.  We both had the dialogue memorized and were in love with this singer who sang songs we didn't even understand.

Over the years, Marissa and I grew more and more in love with Selena. Neither of us had a CD, cassette, or a poster, but we had the 'Selena' movie and that's all we needed.  Because Selena lived in Corpus Christi, Texas her story interested us even more because we had family who used to live there. So, whenever they came to visit, I had tons of Selena questions to ask. They informed me about the statue, the museum, and other 'must see' Selena sites.

Then, one day, we found out our cousin, who lived in Corpus, was getting married.  A perfect excuse to go!  I remember the night my dad booked the tickets for all of us, me and Marissa were SO excited!

The day I was scheduled to leave, I walked into school so full of excitement.  I was finally going to see Selena's hometown! I remember picking up Marissa at her school.  We had our trip planned out and we could hardly wait to get to it!  After that, we went to Marissa's house to get her mom. Then all 5 of us, (my parents, me, Marissa, and her mom) left to go pick up my other aunt and then it was off to the Greensboro Airport!

We landed in Dallas to meet my aunt who lived in Fort Worth.  We were so excited to FINALLY be in Texas..  We stayed at my aunt's house that night and left for Corpus the next day.  It was a 6 hour drive that seemed like 3 weeks.

Finally we arrived - the big day was HERE!  Corpus was beautiful!

First we went to my cousin's house.  My aunt printed off directions to the Selena museum.  We headed out. We pulled in the parking lot and I remember getting out wanting just to run in and scream "FINALLY!".

We walked in the lobby and were looking at the beautiful pictures of Selena when I saw a man that looked strangely familiar.  I knew I had seen him somewhere before.  Then, I knew who it was.  I didn't even know that I was about to say something when all of a sudden I blurted out, "You're Abraham!". 

He replied, "Yes I am".

We FLIPPED out! We were talking to Selena's DAD!  It was amazing!  After talking for a few minutes, he said, "Come with me." Abraham lead us to another door in the lobby and another family started to follow us. Abraham said, "This is just for them", which made us feel very special!

We went up a set of stairs and I remember going into a studio. There was a man in the little area with all the controls and he had it jamming in there!  It was so loud!  Abraham introduced us.  It was Brian "Red" Moore. He was very nice! Abraham told us that Selena had recorded in that studio which was amazing!  We saw other things too. We saw part of the Last Concert DVD before it was released...we saw an area where they shot a live show every week...and we saw the actual S-E-L-E-N-A letters that they used in the movie!

Then, he took us down to the main room which contained some of Selena's outfits, her awards and her car.  Abraham opened a door and when we walked in we saw a woman sitting at a desk.  He introduced us. 

It was Suzette! 

Could this day get any better?

We talked with her then after she signed our posters and our shirts. This was the best day of my life!

After the museum, we went to Selena's statue (Mirador De La Flor) next. The sun was setting, which made it even better.  It was gorgeous!  Right on the water.

I will never forget the feeling I had standing there feeling that Corpus breeze.  It was incredible.  We took some pictures and then we we're on our way.  It was the best vacation I've ever been on and one I will truly NEVER forget!


-Christian-
Selena Fan For Life!