A celebration reimagined
Trinidad “Trini” didn’t expect his elaborate birthday celebration to end up in a hospital room, but when an unexpected medical episode occurred, his family and care team rallied around him and his wife, Lupe, who was also celebrating her birthday, to create a truly memorable experience.
Trini has lived a life full of challenges and adventure. From humble beginnings, picking cotton from the age of six to help support his family, he forged a path forward by joining the U.S. Army in 1964 at age 18. After completing a three-year tour in Germany, where he is proud to have recreationally skydived with the Green Berets, Trini returned to San Antonio in search of a job.
It was there, at a dance, that he met the love of his life, Lupe. “I thought he was the most handsome young man ever,” Lupe said with a smile. They danced, exchanged numbers, and quickly connected. Just two weeks later, Trini asked Lupe to marry him. “He moved fast,” she laughed. Trini added, “She said, ‘Sure, I’ll marry you — but you need to get a job.’ And so I did.”
Trini joined the San Antonio Police Department and married Lupe while still in the academy. But he didn’t stop there. He enrolled in college, earned his degree, worked full-time, and began raising a family. Inspired by his tenacity, Lupe pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, a goal she’d held since fourth grade. “I thank the Lord for him. I call him a dreamer,” she said. “He encouraged me. I got to go to college, had my three girls, and he helped me all the way through.”
Trini retired as a detective and Lupe retired after 46 years as a teacher and substitute teacher. Their three daughters, and their late son, had front-row seats to witness their parents’ dreams, hard work, and sacrifices.
As the couple’s 80th birthdays approached, Lupe’s in September and Trini’s in November, the family planned an elaborate celebration in October to honor both parents. “We had been planning for months and invited all of their closest friends and relatives,” shared their daughter, Terri.
However, just two weeks after a prior health scare, Trini’s health took another turn, and he was admitted to Methodist Hospital Northeast. While the family was relieved to learn that he would recover, they were deeply disappointed to cancel the party their parents had so eagerly anticipated. Given their modest upbringing and the many priorities they faced as adults, it would have been the first real birthday party either of them had ever experienced.
With heavy hearts, the celebration for 75 guests was called off, but the couple’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who had traveled from across Texas and out of state, found themselves all together for the first time in years. They knew they couldn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate.
Nurse Editha was assigned to care for Trini that night. “I knew his family was coming, but I was surprised to see how many loved ones came to visit,” she shared. “I love celebrating patients’ birthdays. I often sing to them so they don’t feel alone. Seeing Trini surrounded by his family, I wanted to honor that moment and give them space to celebrate together.”
So, the family packed into the room and transformed Trini’s hospital room into a joyful space, complete with decorations, party favors, and even treats for the nurses. Together, the family sang praise and worship songs originally planned as a surprise for the party, and the eldest grandchildren read aloud heartfelt lists of Trini and Lupe’s life accomplishments.
The most emotional moment came when Trini surprised Lupe with a slow dance to Vince Gill’s 90s hit Look at Us. As the lyrics played:
When they wanna see
How true love should be
They'll just look at us
— there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Terri shared,
“This ended up being, in many ways, more precious than what we had planned.”
Happy birthday, Trini and Lupe! Thank you for letting us share in your story and this beautiful moment.