When I was younger I played softball. My dad was usually my coach and he pushed me really hard to do my best. I never felt pressure to make the All-Stars team for Little League, sometimes I made the team, sometimes I didn’t, usually when I was one of the younger girls. Then, when I was in 7th grade, I tried out for the volleyball team, and I wanted to make that team so bad! I had never played volleyball before, but I thought that I was good enough to make the team and be taught the fundamentals. I didn’t make it and I have beat myself up about it since I graduated high school. I thought that if I made that team, my whole life would be different.
Sage, age 6, auditioned for her dance team. Can you imagine that amount of pressure for being so young? The desire? The potential disappointment? She was nervous, but before she went in, she said that she would be happy either way, because she was still going to be a dancer. I was a complete wreck waiting that hour and a half in the car for her. After audtions, her confidence failed and the smile she was wearing before fell. She said that she never wanted anything more and was afraid that she didn’t do enough. I tried to reassure her that she did her best and that she still earned her ice cream cone.
One week later, we got the news that she MADE THE DANCE TEAM! I was sobbing, and Kyle chuckled because I was so emotional. When I let Sage know, her eyes teared up and her little jack-o-lantern smile was the fullest I have ever seen. Excitement doesn’t even begin to explain how she feels, maybe understanding the responsibility that comes along with it. It will be interesting to watch and see how she does with the added expectations, I mean, her splits have already improved! We love our spirited dancer and are so delighted! If you see DanceAmour around, make sure to keep an eye out for our little gal.
Photos : Wild & Free Photography AZ
