Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Dancing with GR

On Saturday night Diva and I packed up and headed over to the High School to hang out until it was time for the Recital. Once the crowd started filtering in, I started getting a little nervous. But Diva was just as excited as can be. She was READY. TO. PERFORM!

I settled in a seat at the way back of the auditorium so as to be able to make a quick exit when our turn to dance came. The first three dances went on and then it was Diva and her class’ turn. They were adorable. It was their tap first and they did it to “Born to Hand Jive.” Diva even threw in a little improve and—according to several other people—stole the show. I got a little choked up at the end of the dance.

I didn’t think I’d be so emotional, but dang that girl has dancing in her veins. You can see it in her eyes while she’s smiling and spinning and tapping her way through the routine. And I was just so proud of my little girl dancing in the front row!

A few more dances came and went and before we knew it, it was our turn to show off what we’d spent the last nine months learning. As we were standing backstage, I had a brief moment of “What the hell was I thinking?”, but once the curtains flew open and the music started, I was having a blast! Everyone screamed for us when our dance was over. And while I think it was mostly because our dance teacher was out there and no one has seen her dance on stage in years, I’m so not above saying that we got the loudest applause of the night.

It felt like such a huge accomplishment to be standing there as the curtains closed. Afterwards, we had so many people come up to us and say how brave we were and how awesome we’d done. And I think I even recruited a couple more people for the class next year.

Now we take a break for the summer. It was an unbelievable nine months filled with frustration and excitement and it all culminated with this hugely rewarding feeling of “Holy crap, I learned and performed a TAP DANCE!”

So, if you've been secretly wishing all your life to take dance classes, check around and see if any studios offer adult classes. Because you're never too old to dance! Besides, if I can do it, anyone can!

6 comments:

Brianinmpls said...

Thanks for stopping by:)

I have to agree I love taking dance classes. I have been doing Salsa lessons for about a year now and love it. Next up is Waltz and Swing I cant wait.

PS Always good to see other Minnesota writers:)

Molly said...

That's fantastic, good for you! I bet your daughter loved that you participated too, such a nice memory for her to have.

Unknown said...

How exciting for you both!! I would love to dance again, but I was in a bad car wreck as a pedestrian and my foot has some shattered toes and other permanent damage.

I am going to live vicaraoulsy through you :D

Jeannine said...

Well, it sounds like you had a great moment. Those moments on stage, when you stand there and the people applaud and you know, they are applauding you (and of course the others) those moments are great. And when it is your kid that is up on that stage, it is even better!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Jennifer McKenzie said...

*bows with respect* I am envious. Your bravery astounds me.
I'm trying to learn to two step from my best friend's boyfriend.
I call them "Lessons of Humiliation"
But I do it anyway.

Battlerocker said...

That's awesome. Congratulations! I wish I could dance... :)