One Day at a Time: The Enduring Love Story of Dolores & Tex
Reaching anniversary milestones is no easy feat, but Dolores and Tex are living proof that the timeless romance seen in movies still exists. In late November 2024, the couple arrived at Guadalupe Centers, expecting just another Older Adults birthday bash with family and friends. Instead, they were surprised with a heartfelt celebration honoring a beautiful milestone: their 70th wedding anniversary! Surrounded by their peers, Dolores and Tex took to the dance floor for a playful rendition of their “first dance.” Their journey, spanning seven decades, is a testament to love, patience, determination, and perseverance.
Their love story began when they were just preteens. At 14, Tex had recently moved from Texas to Kansas City and was new to the Westside—earning him the nickname “Tex.” At a packed summer community party, fate intervened. Dolores, then 13, walked right in front of him, and in that fleeting moment, Tex knew she was the one he would marry. As he later recalled, he confidently told a friend, “I’m going to marry her one day.” The friend replied, “You don’t even know her name.” Tex’s response? “Well, what is her name?” Güera, he was told—but that was just her nickname.
It was only a matter of time before Dolores and Tex met again at school. This time, he worked up the courage to invite her to his quinceañera. Dolores rejected his invitation, saying, “I’m not going out with anybody… and boys don’t have quinces!”
The next time, with a new game plan in mind, Tex asked Dolores out on a date—this time also inviting her older sister, Ana, and Ana’s boyfriend. It was a double date, even though Dolores insisted they were only going out as friends. But destiny had other plans. Their friendship eventually blossomed into a loving relationship.
It wasn’t long before Tex saved up to buy Dolores an engagement ring. However, their path to marriage was not without challenges. After serving three years in the Navy and being honorably discharged, Tex proposed—only to encounter another hurdle: her father’s insistence that Ana marry first. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Tex took matters into his own hands. He reached out to John, Ana’s boyfriend, who was serving in the Air Force, and urged him to marry Ana so he could marry Dolores. John agreed but asked Tex to wait 30 days until his return. True to his word, upon John’s return, both couples tied the knot in a double wedding ceremony at Guadalupe Centers in 1954.
Seventy years later, Dolores and Tex still exemplify the values of love and commitment that have stood the test of time. Together, they built a life full of cherished memories, raising seven children, welcoming 12 grandchildren, and celebrating 15 great-grandchildren.
When asked about the secret to a long-lasting relationship, Dolores shared her simple yet profound advice: “Take it a day at a time.”
