On paper, Pete and Valentina are perfect for each other. Their friends used 'soulmates' when describing them and at one point they were. As they reflect on the last five years of their relationship, they try to understand the complexity of their lov...
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Traditions are very important to Valentina and Mateo.
Growing up, their parents would show them different customs that were passed down for generations. They explained how keeping traditions alive was important because created a connection between them and their culture. When the two moved away from their families, they kept their promise of maintaining tradition in every way they could: sharing stories, speaking their native language, dancing, singing, cooking, etc.
And as much as she loved to share her culture, Valentina was also very protective over it. She understood not everyone was accepting of the fact that there were other cultures. She's had several bad experiences in her past relationships where she was forced to be 'Americanized' until she found the courage (along with Mateo's threatening) to defend herself and her tradition.
So, when Pete began to ask questions about certain things and then asked to he could be a part of them, it made the ballerina excited to have him participate with her.
Pete spooned a big glob of dough into the open corn husk and spreads it out. Taking a thick strip of cheese and jalapeno, he placed them on top of the dough and folded the husk. The dough oozed out and he groaned in frustration as the sticky mixture got all over his fingers.
Looking up, Val snickered quietly at her boyfriend struggling before she got up to stand next to him. "You've put too much masa and didn't spread it out enough, mi amor."
She took out the excess, rearranged it, and then expertly folded the tamale. Pete glanced at his girlfriend and admired her. He loved the way she bit her lip when she concentrated, He also loved how her curly tendrils poked out of her messy bun. He just loved everything about her.
"See? A tamale is folded with love, don't get frustrated," she said, patting his back.
The comedian frowned and wiped his hands with the napkin on his lap, "I give up, I don't have the talent to do this."
His girlfriend laughed, "I think you mean you don't have the patience to do this," she picked up the large bowl of prepared tamales and handed them over to Mateo, who was at the stove.
"You are sorely mistaken and delusional if you believe that Val," Mateo piped up as he carefully dropped the dough pockets into the big pot full of water.
"It has nothing to do with talent. I would say that it's a matter of practice. I've been doing this for a long time and practice makes perfect," the petite girl jumped up onto the counter and pulled out her scrunchie, giving her hair relief.
"Whatever you say," the two men said at the same time. They called jinx and performed their 'homeboy handshake' as the lyricist calls it.
Here's a bit of good news: ever since the day at the recording studio. Pete and Mateo improved in their friendship; they were able to hang out without needing Valentina to be the common denominator between them.
