The Last Dance...

Last year, my daughter ended her ballroom dancing time at Silhouette Ballroom Studios. She worked hard and her short time with the company was successful. I thought we were done with that part of our lives, but she decided to take a coaching job with the studio, so her experience with the group extended into 2019.

Saturday night, my daughter and I drove to the rec center where the recitals are held, parked the car, and we both went in. She attended so she could help her teams with their routines, and she and her dance partner danced one last time at a recital, at least, I believe it's the last time she'll be dancing with this particular studio.

My daughter is still dancing. She's attending university on a dance scholarship. I don't know how long she'll put the same time and energy into dancing as she does now. It takes its tole on a person physically and emotionally, but if you love it, it's worth it.

I watched them dance. I filmed it. They performed the same routine a few weeks earlier with some glitches. This time, to quote them, it was "much better." Of course, I thought it was great, and because it's digitally recorded, I can watch it over and over.

In a few weeks, the pair will be off to California to compete at the next level. Unfortunately, we won't be able to attend, but we're hoping to see her dance many more times in the future. There's something amazing to watch your children do things, be it performing, speaking, or just seeing them reading a book. Maybe it's because we see them do things we can either no longer do or could never do in the first place. My daughter definitely gets her grace from her mother.

It won't be her last dance, but it was the last one for this chapter of her life. And she closed the chapter with grace and beauty. That's definitely a good way to go.

The Last Dance Recital Of The Season...

This past year I attended a lot of ballroom dance performances. My daughter's been dancing with Silhouette Ballroom Company for the past two years and once they graduate, they're done. Some return as instructors, but on Tuesday, my daughter danced with her friends for the last time.

Ending something like that, be it a show, a company, a school year, is bittersweet. I was in a choir at the University of Utah for four years. People came and went, but many began with me and ended with me. Leaving that group was tough, but only because it was so great and we'd worked so hard.



Watching my children grow and experience life, I can't help but remember when I was their age. But it also makes me think of all the things that are in store. Funny how a dance recital can make a person think of things like that.



I stood on the upper level of the gym and took pictures. A few of us were there with our cameras, each preserving the moments. I've attended these closing recitals in the past and each time, they were excruciating. They were so long! I never knew when they were going to end. But this year was different. I'm sure knowing it was the last time made it more enjoyable. I think what made the most difference (aside from not having to stay seated on those horrible bleacher seats the whole time...) was I saw so many performances this season, I knew what to expect and what was coming. I knew when they hit their marks, make their lifts, and when they were close.



My daughter's growing up. She'll be working full-time this summer and beginning university in the fall. This door has closed. There's so many more doors opening before her, doors full of tough times, bittersweet times, and amazing times. Tuesday reminded me of that.

Spending The Day With Dozens Of Teenagers...

Yes, I agreed to help chaperone several dozen teenagers as they participated in a ballroom dance competition in Idaho.

Yes, I was of sound mind when I agreed to do this.

Yes, I understood what would be involved in making such a decision. 

Actually, this isn't the first time I've attended this particular event. Last year I drove up with my daughter. Having never been, last year was draining. There's just so...many...kids. And when you get hundreds and hundreds of teenager ballroom dancers in one place it gets...so...loud.

The difference between this year and last, last year I wasn't a chaperone. I was just a dad. So far, it's been about the same, except we had a pair of siblings riding up with us. They were well-behaved and pleasant company.

Come to think of it, every teenager I encountered today was well-behaved. That's the amazing thing--so many kids in one place, and they're respectful, kind to each other, and friendly. It's easy to condemn a generation. By looking at examples of poor choices, everyone can be labeled as such. And even though they were loud, that's about the worst of it.

Of course, we're only a few hours into our adventure. We've all got a few days to be together. Thankfully, I'm in a hotel room, away from the masses when I need sleep. I'm sure bunking with everyone would make things tougher. I don't anticipate the kids getting a lot of sleep the next few days.

Tonight my daughter dances. It's an honor watching her compete. She's brave like that--something I most likely wouldn't have dared to at her age. Then again, maybe I would. I know one thing, when I was a teenager, there were times I was very loud.

Yes, I agreed to help chaperone several dozen teenagers as they participated in a ballroom dance competition in Idaho.

Yes, I was of sound mind when I agreed to do this.

Yes, I'm glad I did.

Spending A Saturday...With A Bunch Of Ballroom Dancers

For the second time in as many years, I found myself spending an entire Saturday with thousands of ballroom dancers and their friends and family.

If you've never had the opportunity, it's a good time!

In Utah, ballroom dancing appears to be a very healthy endeavor. Last year I attended my first-ever ballroom dancing competition. It was held about thirty miles north of this year's facility. Different place, same result--lots of people, lots of fans, lots of costumes, tons of dancing.

Since I don't travel very much, and I'm not as involved in other people's children as I am my own, I have no idea if other areas have as robust a ballroom dancing community as we do in Utah. I would imagine not, though anything is possible. It is amazing to look across a high school auditorium and see so many young kids all dancing. Of course, some are more talented, more dedicated than others, but the important thing is, they're doing it. They're getting on that floor and moving to the beat of the music. It's really uplifting to see kids getting over their fears, asserting themselves, doing something they don't have to do.

My daughter can be found in the masses of costumes an dance shoes. She's done well in the short time she's been involved in the program, and we're proud of what she's been able to accomplish. This is her last year she can compete at this level. She's made some good friends at Silhouette Ballroom Studios and she's surrounded by good people. As a parent, that's a win-win.

So, was it worth it spending my entire Saturday at this competition?

You bet it is!