June 22: Opening Night

I know there is a reoccurring theme here, but my daughter's first dance recital is a big event for us...and an entirely new experience, as well. Now, after all of the practices, all the sacrifices, not to mention the financial investments, opening night was finally here and my daughter would take the stage in front of a live audience, a sold-out crowd too, for the first time. Ironically, I was feeling the same way I used to feel as a kid prior to practically every baseball game I ever played; that combination of anticipation, excitement and nerves. To be honest, I was a wreck and here's my little girl as calm and collected as can be. Some role model I'm going to be as my kids get older. Anyway, let me just say this, as proud and excited as I was to see my daughter perform the one number she was in up on that stage....I didn't think I was going to make it to that event. Why, you might ask? Well, because this was the marathon of all dance recitals. Seriously, it was the never-ending dance show. It really was. Entertaining? Yes. Engaging. Absolutely. But, waaaaayyy tooooo long! The opening number began roughly around 6:40 pm and the final curtain dropped around 10:00 pm. Almost 3.5 hours of non-stop music, dancing and a stage full of fake smiles reminiscent of "The Stepford Wives". And, of course, my daughter's number was the final dance in Scene 6 - there were 7 scenes total in the show. So, it wasn't like we could watch her dance and then sneak out for the remainder of the show. That wouldn't have worked anyway, as my daughter was required to stay the entire show. Making matters worse, my sister, my two nieces and my Aunt and Uncle all came to opening night! I felt horrible as the show just went on and on and on....sorry, family! But, when my daughter came on stage and I watched her do their little routine to "All for One", it was all worth the wait! No, I didn't shed any tears of joy, but I am just so proud of her ability to go up there and dance in front of all of those people; and she was great in her performance! What a night in so many different ways.