Being a part of a team taught me hard work, respect and teamwork—all of which are great qualities; however, I learned something even more amazing from my dance team: friendship. The friends that I made through dance are more than just friends, they are family (as unbelievable and cliché as that sounds). After I spent more time at dance with these girls than I did at my own home, I formed a bond with them that will last forever.
As cheesy as this sounds, you guys changed my life. I was so lucky to be able to go to dance and see your guys’ faces every day (or not, when I barely showed up to ballet, sorry Ryan) and share with you all the drama of high school life. Not one day goes by that I don’t think about all of the times we have cried, laughed and screamed at each other and I don’t regret one second of it. All of the little things like the times we would run to get food in the middle of rehearsal, skip ballet to just hang out in the parking lot (again, sorry Ryan), or just complain about stupid things in the group chat are memories that I will hold on to forever. It has been almost a year and a half since our time dancing together has ended and I still find you guys in little things in my everyday life.
Surprisingly, I learned a lot from you guys. You taught me to be a strong, hardworking individual and to never give up, regardless of how exhausted I was after being at rehearsal for eight hours. Your constant support and push gave me the drive to do my best not only in dance but in any battle I may face. I also learned that a lot of the time, I needed to be put in my place and I needed to be told to “shut up, Carol,” when I was rambling about something irrelevant in the middle of rehearsal. Although you may not have known it and I am sure I never told you but you guys made me the happiest girl, and you still do. Being able to come to dance and hang out with my best friends who always made me smile helped me to forget about whatever was bringing me down, even if it was just for a few hours. Sharing a national championship with all of you guys was something that nothing else can compare to. I can never forget how amazing it felt to hear our name called for the Victory Cup and jumping into your arms—I wouldn’t wish to share that moment with anyone but you.
As I write this letter to you all, just a washed-up, ex-competitive dancer, I thank you guys for making me the happiest washed up, ex-competitive dancer there has ever been. The good and bad times I have shared with you guys are immeasurable and I thank my lucky stars that I shared them with you all, my best friends. Dance is not the same when you guys aren’t by my side and I can’t wait to (hopefully) be dancing side-by-side soon. I love you with all my heart and wish you all the best.
Cheers,
Carol
