Dear Jen,

It is hard to say this without being dramatic, but honestly, you saved my life. As I’ve grown up, I’ve always had your watchful eye close by, and even though you knew with your infinite wisdom exactly the sort of shenanigans I would pull, I tried to pull them anyway.

Sitting down in that hotel room in Omaha or wherever we were and crying for three hours straight while you berated me with explanations of why I was acting quite useless with my nonsensical teenagery was the turning point in my life. I’m sure that it’s not easy being that guiding hand, but I can’t possibly explain using any of the words in the English language how grateful I am that you do it anyway. You caused me to take control of my life and realize that my actions really do have consequences, that I only get one life, and that it’s my responsibility to make it the best that I can.

More powerful than your words, though, are the actions that you take to lead by example. Thank you for showing me what it is to dedicate yourself fully to your craft. When you ask me to come in an extra day or help with the middle school Cougarettes, I know that is only a fraction of the time you spend and the energy you put forth to choreograph the best dances and put on the best shows and condition the best dancers (and keep Jerome on track).

Thank you for showing me how to be an amazing mother, not only to Lucas but to me and the entire studio. I can’t help but step back sometimes and realize how lucky I am to be a part of the loving community you have created. Through this community, you have helped me find my path.

As I runsprint fly down this path, I see you flying with me. You are not the wind beneath my wings. You are greater than that: you are the leader of the flock. You command the wind to blow. Thank you for not only bringing dance into my life but for making it my identity. I have seen myself grow so much stronger and more confident because of your guidance.

I know that every one of the times you have made me stand in the mirror and just stare at myself or improv while saying the pledge of allegiance were moments that would define who I would become: the strong woman I am today.

The strong woman that once sat and cried for no reason when you asked me why I loved to dance. The strong woman that at one time never had the courage to watch herself dancing in the mirror for fear of what she’d see. Now, I can stand tall because I am a dancer. I have an identity that you have helped me create. I have a community in South Beach and anywhere I go. The world isn’t such a lonely place when there are Ms. Jens out there to make you feel like a part of something larger than yourself.

Thank you for every weird new stretch and every ab workout and across the floor combination that has given me the foundation for this newfound confidence. As I sat in your baby dance class “conferences” on tour last summer and listened to you describing your methods, I came to appreciate the amount of thought and planning that you dedicate to making us smart dancers and strong dancers and choreographers and fitness gurus and muscle experts. You have given us a kind of deep connection with our bodies that elevates the human experience.

However, what has truly elevated my human experience so far on this Earth are the memories that we have shared together. I’ll never forget the picnics at your house or the crazy selfies on stage. I’ll never forget heels classes at 10:00 on Friday nights or spooky Halloween parties at the studio. I’ll never forget the countless attempts to reorganize the costume closet and bridge walks on New Year’s morning.

I’ll never forget crying on stage during “Dream of Love” or actually winning an entire competition with my (contemporary!!!) duo. I’ll never forget taking a class with you in New York City and the first time you let me lead a conditioning warm up. I’ll never forget “Human Behavior” and “Tomorrow” and “Because” and “Dream of Love.” I’ll never forget the love you have given me. I’ll never forget all that we have shared and all that we will share in the future.

I love you so much. Thank you.

Love,

Danielle