I arrived in Mexico City on the 11th of December, early enough to begin the pilgrimage. The pilgrimages start in many different cities across Mexico. People are either traveling by foot, on their knees, biking, public transportation or flying in from different countries (like me).

We walk down the streets of Mexico City, making our way to the Basilica de Guadalupe to see her, pray, and wish her a happy birthday.

One of the most amazing experiences is seeing all of the people coming out from their homes and giving us food and drinks. Since many people come from far away, the locals welcome them. They make sandwiches and hand them out. They have stands with water bottles. You can see how happy they are that we came all of this way to celebrate her.

The streets are flooded with families and people from all around the world. However, everyone's reasoning for attending is different. I went to thank her for protecting my family and allowing us to get home safely.

People also buy frames or statues of her to bless at the Basilica.

Virgin Mary is not just the mother of Jesus in our eyes but rather the mother of us all.

She is there whenever we need her. She sends blessings to our homes. She is the one who holds us within her arms and doesn't let anything bad happen to us.

The first time I decided I wanted to come to MexicoCity was when I turned 15. In my culture, when a young girl turns 15, she is celebrated and it is said that she turns into a woman. This tradition stems from the Virgin Mary as well. She became pregnant with Jesus at the age of 15 and therefore reached a new level of maturity. There is a mass done in celebration where a bouquet of roses is taken to Mary as a thank you for allowing us to reach this age. There is also a variety of other traditions done to celebrate our leap into womanhood like the changing of the shoe to heel or our last doll.

After my Quinceañera, my relationship with the Virgin Mary grew closer. I started attending her birthday celebration on the 12th, at my local church. Then my mom told me about the celebration done in Mexico City, her home. Ever since then I couldn't wait to be able to one day go. Every year I had exams or finals and I couldn't attend so I would just go local.

But this year, after so much waiting and yearning, my dream came true. I was able to stand in front of her and thank her for everything she has done. I could feel the warmth in my heart as I spoke to her. I walked throughout the entirety of the basilica and then where she spoke to Juan Diego. It was truly a magical night. Although I couldn't stay until midnight due to unforeseen circumstances, I knew she was there, looking down on me smiling. I knew she knew I finally made it home.