Last week, I had the privilege of watching my little sister dance in her junior recital, and it reminded me that I miss dance so much. I used to eat, sleep, and breathe dance in high school. And by that I mean I would be at my studio at least four hours, five days a week, sometimes more, especially if it was close to performance time. I honestly still have dreams about choreography, and the little girl in me hasn't entirely given up on her dream of being a professional dancer. But in reality, I'm sitting in the wings or watching from the audience imagining that I'm on that stage again, landing a triple pirouette or holding a perfect arabesque. I'll admit that I was jealous of all the dancers on stage last week, and realized that most "retired" dancers must feel the same way, right? Here's 20 thoughts I had watching the performance:

Oh my gosh, it's starting!!!! I'm gonna cry, I'm definitely gonna cry . . .

LOOK AT THOSE CUTE LITTLE KIDS! I remember when I was that young. Can I go back?

I definitely did a dance to this music back in the day, and my choreo was way better. I miss my old dance teachers.

They get to wear THAT? I would not have been allowed to be seen in public in that.

That piece was out of this world! Who choreographed that? Can they do a solo for me?

I wish I would have learned how to tap . . .

The Senior Tribute dance; I'm crying now . . . And people are starting to stare. Okay, you can stop. Those amazing girls have only been a part of your life for the last ten years. That's not helping . . .

Wow, I hardly know anyone anymore. Where did all these company members come from? They weren't here two years ago.

Oh hey, look, there's a person I know! Only one out of 10? Come on, that's sad . . .

I. MISS. THIS. SO. MUCH. I'm going to take summer classes every day this summer.

Wait, I have to work . . .

That is totally my first dance teacher on stage. Oh, I am so going to say "hi" after this is over.

I don't remember recitals lasting this long. Do they last this long?

And a short pause for a quick change. I had plenty of those.

And that's why I thought recitals were shorter. It all makes sense now!

First thing when I get back to college in the fall, I'm going to find a dance studio where I can get back into ballet.

Actually, when am I going to have that kind of time?

I'll just make sure I go to the dance studio at least once a week to play around.

Yeah, right.

Or I could just continue to live vicariously through all the amazing girls at my old company and watch as they take the stage and perform with elegance, poise, and personality that rivals the best professional dance companies out there.

(Just in case you were wondering, that's me in the crazy white headgear, aka the nurse's costume.)