Seeing our new home would wait for tomorrow. We would spend the first night of our married union here at the Ruiz home, as was another tradition. As Aléjandro walked me into the house and up the stairs, he explained that Mexican weddings were a two-day affair. Tomorrow, the family and guests would come back together for brunch where we would open our gifts.

“There won’t be sheets for your mother to see.”

Aléjandro lifted his chin. “That’s a barbaric tradition ...