Selena Quintanilla’s Widower Grows Emotional Reading Letter She Wrote Asking Him If He Wanted to Marry Her

Selena and Chris Pérez eloped in 1992 despite her family’s disapproval

A new detail has been revealed about Selena Quintanilla and Chris Pérez‘s love story.

In Selena y Los Dinos, which premiered at SXSW on Wednesday, March 10, Pérez recounts his love story with the late Mexican-American singer, who was known as Selena, and revealed the letter in which she wanted to “feel out” his thoughts on marriage.

“I never liked the whole secret thing from the beginning. I always wanted Abraham’s respect,” Pérez says in the documentary of Selena’s father, who didn’t approve of their relationship. “It was always a sticky situation until Abraham found out.”

When he did find out, Pérez — who was her guitar player — was kicked out of the band.

“I remember being really sad because we couldn’t be on the road together anymore,” he says. “It was going to be tough for Selena and I to see each other and be together. We kind of lived that life for a few months.”

Over time, they would write letters to each other. In the documentary, Pérez reads one of those letters out loud.

“Gosh Chris, I’ve been so out of it lately it’s pathetic. I’m going crazy, I swear. I wish that everyone would leave me alone and can’t they see I love you. Maybe they think I’m playing games or something,” Pérez reads.

He continues, “I’m sorry for freaking you out about wanting to get married, but I guess I’m feeling you out, trying to figure out what or should I say how much you love me. Remember I’ll always and forever love you, and I miss you more as every second goes by. I love you always, Selena.”

Shortly after, Pérez takes a long pause and grows emotional as he stares down at the handwritten letter.

Then, discussing their relationship further, Pérez recalls there was a “knock on the door” one day and it was Selena. She said to him, “Let’s go get married.”

Pérez initially said “no, not like this” because he wanted her to get married with her parents’ support. However, at that moment, his “love for her was enough,” and they eloped on April 2, 1992.

The later singer’s father says he was “hurt” that they went off and got married but over time realized that “Chris is a good guy.”

Selena y Los Dinos, which is named after her family band, celebrates the “Dreaming of You” singer’s life and legacy through never-before-seen footage from the family’s personal archive.

The documentary, which was directed by Isabel Castro, includes interviews with her father, mother, sister, brother and producers in addition to Pérez.

Selena’s Life and Career in Photos

Selena was only 23 years old when she was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of Selena’s fan club and manager of the singer’s clothing boutiques. At the time, Selena’s career was still reaching new heights.

In 2021, Pérez appeared in a documentary episode of True Hollywood Story: Death of Innocence and he told E! Entertainment that her death was the “hardest thing” he ever had to deal with, and the loss still affects him today.

“I miss her face, her laughter. She was just an amazing soul, an amazing spirit,” he told the outlet.

“She taught me a lot. I used to never tell people I love them … or I miss them, or just give them gifts just because,” he added. “I learned those things and many, many other things from her.”

PEOPLE is celebrating Selena’s legacy in a reissue of a special edition dedicated to the singer, which is available for purchase here.