If it wasn't obvious already, I love dance. Big surprise, I know. I started dancing when my parents put me in ballet at age 4. And I loved it. Even though I went through phases of laziness and not wanting to go to class when I was younger, I started taking it seriously in my later teens.

One thing I truly love about dance is that ballet is the foundation for so much of the movement, regardless of style or genre. It's universal, it's like a language.

Yet despite my adoration of it and having practiced for years, it's never been my strong suit. Aside from outward appearances, I'm not built like a ballerina; I don't have natural turnout, I'm not flexible and the movement often feels unnatural on my body.

Starting to dance on pointe shoes was one of the greatest accomplishments of my dance life. I had been working towards that goal for almost three years, but even after achieving it, I had to work harder than ever before. Everything was an effort, and an exhausting one at that.

But despite the countless hours of practice, the blisters and the blood, I always left class elated. I was doing what I loved, if mediocre, but I was happy. I don't do pointe formally anymore, but now that I have a job I can hopefully save up to start taking pointe classes again.

Today I take ballet twice a week for two hours. I don't know what it is about ballet that makes me so happy. It certainly does not love me back, and I have to push my body extensively to improve my technique. I find it beautiful that I can find joy in something that is so physically demanding and often thankless, and I believe I always will.