Eight years ago my first child was born. It was a girl and we named her Harper.

When our second daughter was born a few years later, we knew we were in store for a life of Barbie dolls and hair bows, with maybe some dress up and makeup along the way. We pictured them growing tall like their parents and playing volleyball or basketball.

One of my very talented cousins had been in dance for much of her childhood and she begged me to make dancers out of our little girls someday. I hate to admit this now, but I pretty much laughed in her face. There was no way, in my mind, that our girls would dance. If they turn out anything like their mom and dad, they'll be sporty and graceless! Nonetheless, we did put our toddlers into the cute "baby ballerina" classes for our own entertainment. During the first recital, although it was adorable, I felt very out of my element. How could I ever fit in with the dance moms? 

Then when Harper was 6 she was in a ballet number that blew my mind. It wasn't exceptionally difficult or anything. What impressed me the most was that she was front and center and smiling with confidence. Now let me say that all we'd ever known of this child was that she was an introvert. She cried at every birthday party to date when people sang "Happy Birthday" to her! However, to see her fearless, self-assured and actually GRACEFUL made me rethink this whole dance thing!

At 8 years into her young life, she's found the one thing she wants to do, and LOVES to do. I wish I had LOVED anything as a child the way she loves to dance. She comes home from 4 hours of dance class and dances with her sister until bedtime! There are not a lot of things I've experienced as a mother that give me as much joy as watching my girls dance. I'm officially a dance mom and couldn't be more proud! I cannot wait for our family to continue on this new, beautiful path.

Happy 8th birthday to my first baby. Keep following your heart my love!