PICO RIVERA’S MOTHER OF THE YEAR

Winning a prestigious award requires possessing all the right credentials and meeting the highest criteria. Mother of the Year is a lofty achievement indeed.

Christina Rodarte has all the qualifications to back up her title of Pico Rivera’s Mother of the Year. According to her husband, Manny Frias, “Christina displays charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. In that order,” he adds, chuckling at their inside joke.

Jokes aside, it’s essentially Christina’s caring nature that earns her the highest praise. Caring is what she does, and she has much to care for. Her 8-year-old son, Ariya Frias, and her husband Manny, for starters. Also, their two dogs, Lucky and Schatzi. And don’t forget Noodles, the stray cat that has adopted their family.

Noodles isn’t the only lucky cat. Also under Christina’s loving care is a litter of kittens down the street. Someone needs to feed them; why not her? When other animals need homes, Christina acts as a broker to arrange it.

The people around Christina all benefit from her caring nature. When they need creative ideas and craftsmanship, they come to Christina, and she provides generously. There appears to be no limits to her concern for others.

Among Christina’s lesser-known talents are hiking, building mighty calf muscles in the gym, and – juggling? According to Manny, “I really admire her dedication, bravery, boldness and wit. She juggles work, parenting, and being a wife.”

Work is no small part of Christina’s responsibilities. She manages her own small business designing 3D prints and custom embroidery. Her exceptional skill resulted in gaining over 10,000 followers in under a year.

Christina’s life is a busy one, from sunrise to sunset. For her, though, family comes first. She always makes sure Manny and Ariya are well fed, and helps Ariya excel in schoolwork and homework.

If she has any weakness at all, it seems to have been eating Mexican salsa with Manny on a never-to-be-forgotten cruise.

Manny realizes how lucky he is to have met Christina at Panama Joe’s in Long Beach back in 2013. “She has been in love with me ever since,” he boasts.

Of course, he’d much rather boast about her. “She is very beautiful,” he says, adding a heartfelt “We all love and need her so much in our lives. Our world is a better place with her in it.”

And so, the results are in! It’s a unanimous decision, and an easy one. Christina Rodarte is Pico Rivera’s Mother of the Year. Congratulations!