~by Dena Burroughs

"I PRESENT TO YOU MR. AND MRS. TIJERO" - August 19, 2007

Those were the words of the Reverend on Sunday afternoon, around 5 pm, shortly after Andres and Erica said their "I-dos" and became Mr. and Mrs. Tijero in a lovely ceremony at the Quiet Canyon, in Montebello. 

I met them both last year in June at a Yari More concert at the Universal Citywalk.  I was there by myself, as always keeping an eye open for the dancers, and I saw a pretty girl wearing dance shoes and dancing the songs away on concrete.  I remember thinking she wasn't going to have any shoes left after that!  That pretty girl was Erica and she danced with her boyfriend Andres. 

Like Frankie Ruiz' song goes, for Erica and Andres "todo comenzo bailando".  Marco, Andres' Best Man, said the couple met in 2002 at the Century Club... bailando.  Five years later, they promised their life to one another, in front of many witnesses, and selected Hector Lavoe's "Mi gente" as one of their wedding dances. 

Talk about a good Salsa-love story! 

David and I were honored to have attended their celebration.  We wish them a long lasting marriage even lovelier than their wedding. 

May the words of the song "Bailando" ring true for Andres and Erica from here on:

"Este romance en el baile
encontró su principio
Y por el baile jamás
va a tener un final.
Pues cada vez que mis brazos
te aprietan bailando
Vamos marcando tu y yo
en el amor el compás"

"This romance found its beginning in the dance
And because of the dance it will never have an end.
Since every time my arms hold you while dancing
You and I mark the rhythm in our love"