María José Pérez Lecuona, aged 82, and Rafael Segovia, aged 88, are a couple from Santa Cruz of Tenerife with a romance that began six decades ago, leading to a large family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren.
Both natives of Tenerife, they left the island for 30 years, residing in Algeciras where Rafael worked at the Gibraltar refinery. Upon retirement, they decided to return to their roots in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where they have led a vibrant life over the past two decades.
María José has always been fond of traditional folklore. Since childhood, she has enjoyed singing and dancing to Canarian folk songs. Yet, she had never had the chance to attend a May Ball until one of her nieces requested a traditional costume for the city’s founding celebrations, where they had a reserved table. This was the perfect opportunity for María José and Rafael to attend their first May Ball together, where they joyously danced and sang to their favourite tunes without missing a beat.
The viral image of them dancing last Friday in the bustling La Concepción square quickly became the highlight of the night. María José, in her astonishment, found the attention “exaggerated”, as they were simply enjoying themselves on the dance floor.
A couple who share many interests, staying active with various physical activities, strolls around the city, and keeping “the entire family very close” throughout the years. Following this delightful experience, María José and her husband Rafael are eager to repeat it next year.
