This is a sponsored post in partnership with Delta Air Lines. However all opinions are my own.
Growing up in Guatemala I never considered I would one day be living far away from my family and friends and from the country that will always be my home. One of the hardest things of being an expat is not being present for important moments in the lives of the people you love and not being able to celebrate with them things like birthdays, anniversaries etc.
As my dad approached his 70th birthday I started to get a little emotional. My dad and I have always been really close. He has always inspired me to follow my dreams and to fight for what I want. He has always been there for me during important moments and celebrations and now that I live so far away it is hard not to be there for him. So when he told me he was celebrating his 70th birthday with a big family get together I knew I had to be there.
I let him believe I would not be able to make it to his birthday party, as I wanted to surprise him. I traveled back home to Guatemala and didn’t tell anyone except my brother. On the day of my dad’s birthday I walked into the party unannounced. It was a very emotional moment, my dad was so surprised and his eyes immediately filled up with tears. It meant the world to him (and to me) that I was able to be there to celebrate his birthday.
Win an Incredible Trip to Latin American with Delta
Delta Air Lines is offering you a chance to win a trip back to your country of origin in Latin American to celebrate your parents or friends in #MyNextTripBackContest in a special way. This is the perfect opportunity to get creative and imagine what would you do to surprise them.
I want to continue creating special memories with my parents and making every trip back home special. I want to travel back home and celebrate my dad by taking him on a road trip like the ones we used to take when I was growing up.
Enter Delta Air Lines’ contest by sharing how you would celebrate your parents or friends in a trip back home at HERE. It’s easy to participate, just answer 3 simple questions, upload up to 4 photos, and the site will generate a video for you to share in social media about your story. Delta can make your story come true! I already created my own video about Mi Proxima Visita.
The most creative, original, and compelling answers will be chosen as winners. The winners’ journey will be documented in a video presented by Delta, get inspired by watching the winning stories from last year’s contest HERE.
Don’t forget: Participate until May 8th for the parents category and until May 31st for the friends category. You can submit as many stories as you want and share your videos for more chances of becoming a finalist.
I can’t wait to see how you plan to celebrate your parents or friends on your next visit to your Latin American country of origin! Good luck!
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
- Your Complete Guide for Renting a Car in Guatemala in 2025 - January 10, 2025
- Guatemalan Pierna Mechada Recipe: Holiday Leg of Pork Recipe from Guatemala - December 15, 2024
- Traditional Guatemalan Christmas Foods: A Celebration of Flavor and Tradition - December 15, 2024
Ay chica me hiciste que se me aguaran los ojos! Me encanta tu foto cuando pequeña, bien linda. La historia está bellísima y los papás son lo más difícil de dejar atrás y, como dices, no estar ahí en los momentos y celebraciones especiales. Snif, snif 🙁 ¡Bello el escrito!
Even though it’s not my country of origin, it would be cool to win and visit. There are quite a few areas that I’ve always wanted to see.
Wow, you look so much like your dad. I’m sure being able to spend this time together was priceless.
Que historia tan emotiva Paula!!! Me encanta esta iniciativa de Delta es realmente maravillosa! Nada más bello que las historias personales, y las de los inmigrantes son todas especiales. Gracias por compartir la tuya! Algún día me gustaría conocer tu país. Feliz cumple por anticipado a tu papá. Muchas felicidades!
Wow Paula, tienes la misma carita de bebé, que lindo que hallas sorprendido a tu papi en su cumple!
OMG! Such a special moment!!! Love it!
Que lindo sorteo por parte de Delta que te permitió estar con tu papi, ha de haber sido una grata experiencia, sigues conservando la misma carita desde bebe 🙂
What and amazing moment!! Thank you for sharing with us your readers. I can imagine the happiness in your father. Happy birthday to him!
What a wonderful way to surprise your Dad. My country of origin (at least from my grandparents on) is the United States. If my Dad were still alive I would throw him the biggest fishing party–his favorite occupation.
What a joy to visit your native country and then promote it. Such an awe moment! Delta really brings us together! Great initiative!
Awwww, that’s so sweet… I want to win a trip too!