Who's That Girl?

I am forever proud of anything and everything Mila does whether it be how deeply she feels and loves things, the effort she puts into her friendships, how hard she works on school assignments, how passionate she is about joining teams and clubs or her strength and courage when it comes to public speaking, the list goes on and on as I’m sure most parents feel about their kids. However today, I had one more box to check off of proud mom moments.  Today Mila kicked off her journey in the competitive dance world and to say that I had a few emotional and proud mom moments would be an understatement. 

When Mila looked at me at 3 years old and said, “I want to dance mommy”, my heart skipped a beat.  I immediately signed her up for ballet lessons through parks and recreation to see if it was something she legitimately wanted to do and before investing in an actual dance school.  Well, she loved it. So, I signed her up again for another session and she loved it even more.  At 4 I signed her up at an actual studio and the rest, as they say, is history.  She took ballet, tap and jazz for a few years then over the last few years she dropped ballet because in true Mila spirit, “it’s too slow for me mommy, I need to move” but she did begin acro and hip hop.  Every year at her recital I get very emotional seeing her up on that stage and performing.  Seeing her work so hard throughout the dance year and really having fun makes me melt and there is something about seeing her up on that stage that makes me beam with pride and joy – it takes so much courage to really put yourself out there and get up in front of people yet she makes it look so easy.  Sure, there are other students that are stronger dancers, but she is having fun and is so incredibly brave for even getting up there.  Not to mention all she has overcome in her life to be that confidant and strong enough to do this feels like a miracle in itself.  The last 2 years with Covid she did her dance classes online and that was tough.  I know everyone can relate when it comes to having our kids online for yet another thing and missing out on those in-person connections, but she stuck it through.  We were both thrilled when it was time to go back in person this past September and with that came the option for her to be part of the competitive tap group.  We talked about it and Mila was ready for the challenge and so here we are!

I have never seen Mila more focused, driven and eager to nail her tap routine more than this year.  Even while on vacation before the Christmas holidays she was still practicing daily because “Ms Maria wants us to have this memorized and we shouldn’t stop practicing even though we are on a break” and she didn’t want to let her dance director down.  Leading up to this first of 3 competitions I talked with Mila because it was something I could relate to having done competitions myself many, many years ago.  I let her know that no matter what happens up on that stage and what the outcome is that I am super proud of her and if she has fun than nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing else matters.  No award will dictate her worth or effort as far as I am concerned, and I wanted to reassure her of that.  I explained the nervous jitters and how she can use that as motivation. To remember that anyone watching is just another parent that is proud of their kid having the courage to get up there and to showcase what they’ve worked hard on so not to worry about anything other than having fun and living in that moment.

Well, Yodel Girls got up there and they gave it their all and nailed it!  The second they were called out to the stage and the song started I instantly felt all the feels running through my body.  I had goosebumps from head to toe, wiped my tears of joy and cheered so loud as they ran on to that stage and for a split second tuned out absolutely everyone and everything in that room and just marveled at my little girl and all of the girls in that routine for that whole 2 minutes and 18 seconds. To hear her say “it feels so good to be back on stage!” melted my heart and really put into perspective how the last 2 years was tougher than she let on.  She missed her dance friends and dancing in person and she missed performing.  What a gift that was to hear and to know that she was back in her happy place. 

My girl, I am so incredibly proud of you and feel so privileged to be your dance mom.  May you continue to dance like no one is watching and until your heart is content. May you forever remember this core memory moment as I fondly remember and relive mine through you and know that I too will remember this special time for always.  You are an incredible spirit and soul my tiny dancer and mommy loves you so very much. 

LM