To my first true love: dance,
You entered my life at three years old when my mom signed me up for Mommy and Me dance classes. I never knew it was something I was so passionate about, it was just mundane and my natural instinct to sign up for classes every year.
Over the years, you allowed me to explore all areas of you including ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary and hip hop. Each aspect of you I loved more than the last. Although the first 10 years of my life, I was just a basic dance recreation student, I am so glad to have the experience that would lead to my life changing passion: Competition.
At age 11, I waltzed onstage for the first time in a dance competition. Performing in front of judges was intimidating to my young self, but was incredibly exhilarating. Knowing I got to share my love for you to people of all ages and even just to put a smile on their faces for the short 2 and a half minutes meant the world to me.
Over the past 5 years as a competitive dancer, you have changed and became my life. I have learned how to work as a teammate, and dance as a soloist. I have not only learned that it is perfectly okay to fail, but expected as it makes you a better performer, dancer and person. The life lessons you have given to me are indispensable and something I have learned so early in life compared to my peers.
Learning to dance is a lot like learning to ride a bike. Cliche, I know, but it really is true. You grow, you fall, you stumble, but you always get back up. By allowing you to grant me that opportunity to grow as a person, but also get to do it while dancing is priceless.
Over the past 15 years, you have allowed me to explore every aspect of you: judgement free. You did not judge when I forgot a dance on stage, did not judge when I won a special award and did not judge when I switched dance studios.
You have taught me how to be human and it’s okay to mess up, succeed and sometimes fall somewhere in between. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Love,
A very appreciative dancer
