Happy Valentine’s Day! 

We’re celebrating the love and friendships that make our lives worthwhile. As a movement that’s been here for decades, we’ve witnessed countless friendships and relationships blossom from our members. Today, we want to share with you the heartwarming story of Mario and Elvira Ramirez.

Mario and Elvira met when they were kids in Reynosa, a border town in Mexico. They grew up in the same neighborhood, where their love for fútbol— or soccer— would eventually bring them together. 

Mario played for the community soccer team. At the time, there was no team for girls, but that would quickly change when Elvira became one of the pioneers to start a girls’ team in their neighborhood to compete against the boys. “Les metimos gol, y nos tuvimos que casar,” Mario shared jokingly. We scored against them, so we had to get married. 

For us, their love story is a tale of how love has no borders or limits. The proof is in their 46 years of marriage, 4 children, 20 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. 

Mario and Elvira are important members of our community at LUPE. They joined our movement decades ago when a neighbor, Doña Mari, told them about Cesar Chavez and what he was doing for farm workers. Since then, they’ve proudly renewed their membership every single year together.

The years have come and gone, but Mario and Elvira’s love for each other and commitment to the movement remain as strong as ever.

Que viva el amor,

The LUPE Team