Carrying Your Love Forward

Grandma, Efrosina Baca

A woman of unwavering strength, boundless love, and unshakable faith.

My Grandma, Efrosina Baca, was a living testament to resilience, creativity, and determination. Born with one arm, she never saw herself as limited—only capable. She could do more with one arm than most could with two. A wife, a mother, a grandmother, a gifted seamstress, and a master quilter—she poured her heart into everything she touched.

One of my favorite memories is standing on a stool as she braided my hair, using her one arm and her mouth to weave the ribbon seamlessly through each strand. I never thought of it as extraordinary—it was simply Grandma being Grandma. She didn’t just sew clothes—she created magic with one hand. She made warm tortillas from scratch, stitched the very clothes I wore to school, and crafted beautiful quilts that wrapped us in her love.

But she didn’t just create with fabric—she built a life of unwavering faith. Deeply devoted to the Catholic Church, she lived with a heart full of prayer, love, and service. Her faith wasn’t just something she practiced—it was who she was. Every stitch she sewed, every lesson she taught, every challenge she faced was infused with the strength of her belief.

Grandma was graceful, yet unstoppable. She loved ruffles, and because of her, I do too. Every frill and flourish she added wasn’t just decoration—it was a little extra love, a little extra flair, a little extra piece of her spirit woven into my life.

Her unwavering "I can create anything" mindset lives on in Aqua Turtle. Every product, every design, every creation is infused with the same unstoppable spirit that defined her life. This brand is not just inspired by her—it is a continuation of her legacy.

Thank you, Grandma, for showing me that creativity has no limits, that faith can move mountains, and that ruffles make everything better.

A man of unwavering strength, boundless love, and unshakable faith.

My Grandpo, Joe Baca, was a living testament to resilience, creativity, and devotion. A carpenter, a musician, a husband, a father, and a grandfather—he poured his heart into everything he did.

One of my favorite memories is stepping into his cuartito, where the hum of the saw and the scent of freshly cut wood filled the air. With his cap on and a pencil tucked behind his ear, he was completely in his element. I never thought of it as extraordinary—it was simply Grandpo being Grandpo. He didn’t just build furniture—he built a world of warmth, love, and craftsmanship.

But he didn’t just work with wood—he created music with his soul. As a member of the mariachi choir, he played the guitar and trumpet, filling the church with melodies of faith. I still cherish the moments of sitting beside him at the keyboard, singing together. Going to church with him and my grandma, watching him perform, was like watching love and devotion take musical form.

Grandpo was selfless, always putting his family before himself. His presence was warm, his laughter contagious, and his signature “Howdy!” could brighten any room. He always had a joke, always had a story, and always made you feel like you belonged.

His unwavering "I can build anything" mindset lives on in Aqua Turtle. Just as he would build from scratch Aqua Turtle was built from the ground up. Just as he meticulously crafts his products and music with unwavering dedication, passion, and care, Aqua Turtle embodies that same spirit of love, artistry, and devotion. His determination is echoed as the pulse of Aqua Turtle.

Thank you, Grandpo, for showing me that hard work is an act of love, that faith is the foundation of everything, and that a great hat can always complete the look.

This is for you.