Dancers put so much time into getting prepared for competitions and recitals, but they aren't the only ones who labored over dance.
Although we should have, we know we never thanked our moms enough for all the things they've done for us over our years of dance:
1. Thank you for waking up at ungodly hours for my first dance of the day.
2. And for helping me do my hair and makeup at those absurd hours while I was half asleep.
3. For always being prepared throughout the day with hairspray and makeup to fix my hair that didn't want to cooperate and fake eyelashes that were coming off.
4. For being ready to help me with my next costume when I have only 2 dances to get ready for it.
5. For understanding when I freak out at you during those two dances because of my stress level. Sure, you wish I wouldn't yell, but you know that I'm just stressed and still love you.
6. Thank you for sitting through HOURS of dances, just to see me on stage for 3 minutes each time I perform.
6. For being prepared with my favorite snacks that I eat every competition. You know what I can and can't hold down while dancing for a full day, but also understand that I need something substantial.
7. And also reminding me to put my coverup on while I'm eating so that nothing gets on my costume.
8. For taking HOURS out of your day to put thousands of rhinestones on those costumes even though it's extremely tedious and the glue smells awful.
9. For reminding me to drink water during the competition because if you didn't, I would go the whole day without taking a sip of water due to my busy schedule.
10. And for telling me to re-apply my lipstick after I drink water so that it doesn't look awful on stage.
11. Thank you for loving and supporting me no matter how I do at the competition.
12. And for consoling me after I forget the choreography for my solo.
13. But congratulating me for winning first overall in another dance.
14. Thank you for driving home for 3 hours in silence because I fall asleep from exhaustion from the crazy weekend I had when you're just as tired.
15. And for missing other things that you could have been doing on the weekend to support me.
16. For spending ridiculous amounts of money so that I can do what I love.
17. Thank you for reminding me why I do what I do even when I'm doubting myself.
18. But most of all, thank you for being the most amazing and supportive mom I could ever ask for. And for loving what I do almost more than I do.
If I could go back in time I would thank you for all these things, but I hope you know how much I love you and how thankful I am for your support and love in all that I do.
