Just as good as football

Five years ago when I found out that I was pregnant I was secretly (ok, ok...outwardly) hoping for a boy.  I would have been a great mom to a boy.  I love sports, mud, farting and general grossness.  I do not like flowers, sparkles, princesses or anything pink.  So, suffice it to say, I was a little worried when I found out I was having a girl.  However, the one thing that made me look forward to having a baby girl was the thought of putting her into ballet.  Ballet was a huge part of my childhood.  I don't ever remember NOT being in ballet.  I grew up at the studio and loved every single minute of it, including the blisters and the calf cramps.  Ballet defined me.  It gave me purpose and I am thankful every day that my mom got me started when I was two.  And I have to admit that discovering that we were having a girl made me more than a little excited at the prospect of having another ballerina in the family.  It would be something that we could share and enjoy together. 

Well, I got my wish.  My daughter is a full fledged dance junkie.  I find myself reliving my memories through her and I love it.  From the moment I walked her into the studio and was hit with the fond smell of broken in leather and hair spray I have been nothing but thrilled to see my childhood through her eyes as she is now establishing many of the same memories for herself. 

And tonight marks a milestone in our combined experience.  Tonight we will walk through the backstage doors for her first ever Nutcracker performance.  I spent many, many, MANY hours on a Nutcracker stage (six performances a year for sixteen years..although, I have to admit that it kind of scarred me for a while.  You know those stories that you hear about war vets who freak out when they hear the sound of helicopters?  It's reminiscent of that).  Tonight I will be on the flip side of things.  Tonight I get to play hair and makeup mistress to my daughter.  Tonight I get to wait backstage and watch her perform her heart out.  Tonight I get to give her a flower as she takes her bow.  After all the years of being the one in the spotlight, tonight I will have the honor of waiting in the wings and watching my little girl shine.....pink, sparkles, and all.  Good luck princess.