Ten Things: #2

#2: I don't dance with my family any more.

Thinking about it right now, this is probably the hardest change I've experienced yet...

Let me explain this-

'My family' = The Jackson Ballet Company/The Academy of the Arts. These people are all my family. I don't care who tells me differently, every single one of them is included in my family. We've all grown up together, I've known some of the girls since they were little babies in pre-ballet! We've all gone through ups and downs, competitions, recitals, and pretty much everything under the sun, together! These people, are my family.

'I don't dance with....' = My family is based in Jackson, a good 2 hour drive from where I am now. I don't dance with them because I don't want to, it's because I physically cannot. I would if I could get myself there!... and get it to count as college credit :)

We had a saying at my old studio (old studio.... I don't like saying that, it's still my studio) that we ended up putting on a shirt one year for competition. On the front of the shirt it said, "Academy of the Arts Est. 1995" and on the back, "Our home away from home." The quote on the back could not be more accurate. I lived at the studio. Starting around 7th grade I was there +12 hours every week and that number continued to grow as I grew older. I never dreaded going to the studio, sometimes to classes, but never the building in Spring Arbor.

I love dancing with all of my heart, it's become a part of who I am. But, I can't say that the movements of dance alone was what got me to love this art form so much. One of the main reasons why I've always stuck with dance is because of the friends I've made there. It's true when I say we've known each other nearly our whole lives. Most of us started dancing at 3-5 years old, so I've known most of these girls, that I consider my family, for roughly 13 years. These girls, and Dustin, know more about me than I bet most of my best friends know. When I think about it, it might not have been on purpose that they know so much, I think it's just because of the fact that we've spent so much time together over the years that you pick up on things about people that you didn't have to be told. You just know.

Number 2 sprung on me when I was in ballet class this morning. Some times I'll walk into the studio, expect to see JBC warming up at the barres, and then I'm taken back for a minute realizing that this isn't what I'm used to. I'm not at The Academy, I'm not late and running into class, I'm not taking my usual spot at the center barre in the middle of the classroom... I'm at GV in the Performing Arts Center watching all of the majors and minors warming up before class. Sounds weird that this happens sometimes, but when you're so used to something then it changes all of the sudden it throws you off every once in a while.

Last night my best friend, Rel and I were talking about how much we missed taking dance classes together. Rel is minoring in dance at college so I know she's feeling my pain here with #9. I know that when some of you are reading this you have to be thinking, "Wow, this girl is seriously complaining about this?? I don't get it." Well that's okay because it's not meant for everyone to "get".

All I know is that it kills me when I think about how much I miss my girls and Dustin and how much I feel like I'm missing out on their lives while I'm away... Whats the best part about all of this though? I'll be back. I'll get to dance with my family again and feel the connection I have with all of those wonderful people soon. As soon as I'm on a holiday break, I'll be there dancing with them again, smiling and laughing and loving on my family.

I can't find a picture of the whole family, but these will do!

I'm missing you, JBC :)