ODESSA, Texas — Everyone has a morning routine.
For some people, that starts with coffee, watching NewsWest 9 Sunrise and listening to their favorite morning radio show on the way to work.
For a lot of West Texans, their favorite is the Leo and Rebecca Morning Show.
A show, however, that’s nearing its end after 23 years.
"We started back in January of 2002 here at B93," co-host Leo Caro said.
For more than two decades, West Texans drove to work listening to the voices of Leo Caro and Rebecca Cruz.
"And I always say it's just the greatest job ever," Cruz said. "I don't think that I'll ever be able to do anything that's been comparable to this because it's been so much fun and so rewarding."
A show and duo that’s so beloved in the Midland-Odessa area are nearing the final sign-off.
"We knew this day would come someday. We were not sure when," Caro said. "But we know we've been kind of discussing it for a year. Chapters in life, life changes. Turning the page, things are happening in our life that when we came together with this decision, we knew it was time to end the morning show and to go out the way that we wanted to."
And with the end of a chapter comes the beginning of reminiscing, which includes a particular recurring guest.
"We have to mention Carmen," Caro said. "One of our favorite things on our show has been Carmen. Carmen doing her pranks and us being involved with those and just listening and laughing along.
And with the end of the show comes the potential answer to a long-asked question?
"The number one question we've been asked: who's Carmen?" Cruz said.
Breaking news: there's still no answer quite yet.
"I will say this, I am NOT Carmen," Caro said.
"Yeah, it's not Leo," Cruz said.
Leo might not be Carmen, but he is Leo. And Rebecca is Rebecca. Together they made one heck of a team.
"You know what's real crazy? When we first started, you get together with your partner, and you just hope that there's chemistry. And honestly from day one, we've had the same chemistry that we even have today, and I knew back then that this was going to be something special, and it really has been. And it's been just a blessing. [...] Before we did mornings, I didn't have a sister. Now I have a sister," said Caro.
Not only did he gain a sister, he gained an entire West Texas family.
"The reason why we've done this 23 years is because of our awesome listeners," Caro said. "And if anybody's ever turned us on the radio for even just half a second, we thank you and you're the reason why we lasted 23 years."
And it wouldn’t be the Leo and Rebecca Morning Show without going out with a bang.
"Let's celebrate for a solid week," Cruz said. "Us being together and all of our wonderful memories and celebrate our listeners and thank them and because we've gotten a lot of thanks and a lot of well wishes and so much positivity and love that we've received, we wanted to give it all back this final week and let everyone know that this wouldn't be possible-- 23 years of Leo and Rebecca would never have been possible without our amazing listeners."
Leo and Rebecca are having their last show Friday, June 14 at 6 a.m. on 93.3 FM Radio.