Summer 1992 was the best possible time to be alive, and it most certainly was!

It was the year 1992, and I would migrate to Breckenridge, MN, with my parents. I was 15 years old at that time. I hated leaving my friends in Alamo, Texas, because I grew up with them, especially my childhood best friend "Diana". We were inseparable. But who would have thought I would fall in love with a friend of a friend of my brother from Minnesota?

That year I met one of my brother's friends, and "omg," he was so handsome to me. I had always loved the bad boys, and he was definitely the bad boy. My mother liked him as well; she got along with him so much. But he was my brother's friend. Everyone thought me and him had a thing with each other, but we didn't. His brother once questioned me about the relationship between his brother and me. We would all hang out in Chahin Kapa Park in Wahpeton, North Dacota. We didn't even appear to be going to work up north. I had a homey feeling. Although it was odd, I was eager to see him when I wasn't. My eyes would simply go glassy whenever I saw him. Why did everyone assume that we were attracted to one another? Did we make it so clear that even my closest friends believed we did?

My family and I were lodging on a ranch outside of Breckinridge at this time. I detested it so much, and it was an hour away. I still went to see my friends, though, despite that. I was more determined than ever to see them.

I would walk an hour just to go hang out with my friends, you can be sure of that. After that, I discovered some skates at a garage sale one day when my parents were there. That made my walks way easier; all my friends would freak out with me. But I needed friends because I was going crazy on the ranch. I was a growing kid; who needed friends at my age? How I miss those years so much. Since 1999, I have not returned to Breckenridge, Minnesota. Based on the images I see, I know it has changed significantly. But I'm hoping to see it again someday. I wish I could visit my former high school and take a stroll like I did when I was younger.

This was one of the schools I attended while I was a migrant worker. Since the white students weren't yet accepting of other races, I can't say that this school was the best for me. However, the children never spoke negatively to me. There were only four Hispanic students in that school during that academic year. I recalled that everyone else was Caucasian. My dad's boss had a child my age during this time, and my parents would work for a rancher. We ended up going to high school together. I thought he was wired because he would stare at me in some freaky way. But what I was told by my parents was that he was a nice kid. I'm going to be honest; he wasn't bad looking either; he was just wired. Maybe he wanted to be my friend, but he didn't know how to approach it.

I saw Halloween 20 years later, Hocus Pocus, and Jurassic Park for the first time at this theater. When we had money, my friends and I would occasionally go to see a movie. Although it's wired, we didn't give money much thought when we were that age; we just enjoyed ourselves. We went all over town on bikes and skates, and the swimming pool wasn't too costly either.

There were days when I was wilder than ever. That pole got a piece of me dancing like a "slut." All the people would just stare, and some would honk. But overall, we were all

having fun.  I didn't even know what LGBTQ was or what paying bills were. We were just having the time of our lives.

On July 4, everyone would congregate in the park. The only city with the ability to pop fireworks was Wahpeton. That was something they were very strict about. No one opposed them, so I suppose they had their justifications. All that mattered to us at that age was enjoying ourselves with the group and each other. Looking back on my early years, I can say that I had a great time.

I never understood as a child why people enjoyed watching the cars crash. I still don't, but it doesn't matter as long as people are content. From a former resident who is extremely proud to have lived in your state for one lifetime, lots of love.

It is good to see that Wahpeton still does this event for the community. Great Job!!!

Story By Britney J Torres

Photos By Minnesota Satellite, Yvonne Grado and Flor Salinas.

Wilkin county fair Breckenridge Mn

Fourth of July celebration expected to be held in Wahpeton | Local News Stories | wahpetondailynews.com

Wilkin County Fair | Breckenridge MN - Facebook