It’s Latine Heritage Month, and what better way to honor our roots than by taking a trip down memory lane ― diving right into the colorful chaos of our childhood homes. Loud, loving, and just a little bit unhinged, growing up Latino meant you were surrounded by stuff that made no sense and perfect sense at the same time.
Here are 17 things you definitely recognize if you grew up in a Latin American household:
1.
A bottle of Fabuloso stored away somewhere. One whiff and you already know your mom’s about to ban you from stepping on the floor for the next hour.
2.
Sewing supplies inside a cookie tin ― AKA the very moment all of our trust issues began.
3.
A plastic bag full of plastic bags, because where else would we keep them?
4.
Vicks VapoRub (Vicvaporú): the cure for coughs, colds, stomach aches, heartbreak, gunshot wounds…you name it.
5.
A crusty white dog that barks at everyone and is somehow 1,000 years old.
6.
Pots and pans in the oven: the real storage unit of the house.
7.
Jesus everywhere: a painting, a crucifix, a statue…or all three watching you from the same corner.
8.
The infamous tiger blanket, otherwise known as the official uniform of every Latin American nap.
9.
Beans in butter containers, because why use actual Tupperware when these work just fine?
10.
A bowl of fake fruit sitting on the dinner table ― the original scam, because someone always tried to eat it.
11.
A plastic chair outside, the seat of choice for chisme sessions and family cookouts.
12.
Paintings of fruit or houses hanging on the wall, since apparently those are the only two subjects (besides Jesus, of course) that are worthy of art.
13.
Your mom’s plants: the real children of the house, loved more than you.
14.
At least one piece of plastic-covered furniture, because protecting the couch matters more than actually using it.
15.
Brandy y el Señor Bigotes blasting from the TV in the morning ― the official soundtrack of you being late to school.
16.
These foamy squishy mats, somehow always printed with grapes, flowers, or wine bottles.
17.
Chanclas scattered across the house like landmines. You know the drill: one pair for wearing, one pair for throwing.
Ajá. Our Latin American homes were pretty much museums of randomness, and honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. If you’re Latino, I hope this list made you feel seen, because in the end, these little details are the heartbeat of our shared DNA.