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Mario, Belle and Susana Belle Valadez
 Mario’s puesto was later converted to the sale of arts and crafts imported from México. This was to become his livelihood from that point on. Using his authority and a good eye for business, he required that all merchants be dressed in authentic Méxican attire. Motivated by the authenticity of the requirements, some merchants were given permission to paint colorful murals and designs on their puestos.
 My mother, Belen, had a friend Catalina who had a puesto on Olvera Street. My sister Belle was looking for work at the time so Catalina introduced her to Mario. He hired her as his assistant and was very impressed. She was charming and beautiful and became an asset not only to his business but also to his life. She changed the merchandise into exquisite and unique Méxican folk art. It was a very exciting time for both of them as they were part of developing a friendly and colorful Olvera Street.
 Mario and Belle eventually fell in love and were married. Several years later, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Susanna Bell, which they both adored. They changed the puesto's name from "El Encanto" to "Casa Susana”. When she was just a few months old, she knew what it was to smile for the cameras. She posed in her typical attire with colorful flowers and bows in her hair. Her dresses were imported from México in tiny sizes. Cameras were flashing around her. She was special, and she knew it. There was no love lacking in her life.
 All the children of the Olvera Street merchants felt the sense of family togetherness. They enjoyed their Olvera Street playground as a home away from home. You see when our children were too small to go to school, they grew-up in the puesto learning the works of the trade. You're never too young to learn! The children had culture, tradition, love, and respect. They learned that at any age these moments were to be treasured.
It was a glorious time when their baby girl, Susana Belle, came into their life and ours. I was excited and honored to be her Godmother. She was the love of their life.
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