On Saturday night I sat in a tiny, and overly crowded community theater in Renton. It wasn’t hot, but it was stuffy and I knew from the start that I was going to regret the blazer I decided to wear. I didn’t take it off. I don’t know why, and ironically up until this moment I never stopped to ask myself why I didn’t take it off instead of sitting there slightly uncomfortable for an hour and an half. I suppose I’ve become used to just being slightly uncomfortable all the time, but mostly, I think I was just completely wrapped up in nostalgia. Engrossed by it really. You see, Saturday night was Hannah’s dance recital.
The little ballerina made her way onto that tiny stage in her royal blue tutu, her hair slicked tight into a bun, a gold tiara on her head, smiling gleefully out at the crowd. Even from our seat halfway back in the theater I could tell she had smudged her red lipstick just a bit. That must have happened while she was backstage with her class, waiting to come on. She had been so excited for me to put that Russian red on her lips. I wondered briefly why one of the adults didn’t touch that up before scooting her onto the stage and then I decided that I didn’t care. Somehow, that smudged lipstick made it even better. I sat forward the minute her little tutu came bustling onto the stage and I stayed engrossed, fidgeting (just a bit) nervous/excitedly through the entire 3 minute performance. I glance away in the middle of the dance, just long enough to see that Mr. was sitting in the exact same manner, mirroring my expression. It was complete elation. In all her little 7 year old dancing glory, the smeared lipstick, the sometimes unsure steps, the one moment where she turned the wrong way and then quickly corrected herself, in all her imperfections, our daughter seemed perfect. And it washed over me, nostalgia and with it came utter, overwhelming, almost intoxicating euphoria. This is my husband; that is our child.
And suddenly the dance was over and all I could think about was how nine years ago I sat in a theater at BYU-Idaho, I was 20 years old, just a college sophomore, and Mr. was sitting next to me. He wasn’t Mr. back then. He was Craig, and we were dating, and he offered to take me to a performance that was required for one of my dance classes. I thought he was being really nice because I had a lot of guy friends in high school, and I knew how they felt about dance shows, but at the end he told me he really liked it (even though I knew he didn’t know a thing about dance) and then he talked about which pieces he enjoyed the most. And I remember thinking this was just the kind of person I wanted to be with. Someone who had an open mind, who wasn’t one dimensional, who was secure enough as a man to enjoy something that I loved, not just suffer through it. I wondered if that might change after we got married. If he might do what everyone said he would do and just be a guy, and stop “pretending” he cared about what I cared about.
But the thing is, he never has.
On Saturday night, after the recital ended, we went to collect our little ballerina. Mr. knelt down, looked right at her and told her how fantastic she was. How much he loved watching her dance. How his favorite part was when her leg went snapping in and out all quick and precisely. “How did you do that so well?!” He asked her.
You should have seen her face…
I imagine it looked a little something like my face looked nine years ago, when it was first beginning to dawn on me just exactly how incredible Mr. really is.
And all I could think as I looked at the two of them, Mr. in his tan blazer, Hannah in her crushed velvet costume is; I am so glad that I gave my children him for a father. So glad that this is the first man Hannah will look up to. She’s going to marry someone incredible, because she’ll know exactly what to look for.
This is the sweetest post ever. I want to have that same feeling with my husband. Its beautiful. Heather looks adorable and I was teary reading this post. Awesome! Love Millie.
What a beautiful post! Growing up dancing and being super close with my father (who was at every recital, dance competition, etc.), I know personally how touching moments like that can be. It’s amazing how life comes full circle and how that often sneaks up on you! Your family is absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing this wonderful moment! Your daughter has a fabulous dad!
Oh, what a beautiful little daughter you have! Such a little sweet heart, just like her mama! Looks like she is loving her dad at her recital :) and I especially like her Russian red lips, being Russian myself that is I always appreciate some great ballerina to be :) xo Meg
Oh God, this is the mos beautiful and inspiring post I have ever read! Thank you soo much for sharing it with us Cori! You`re really lovely, and so is your family. I wish you the best of joy and a lot of good luck with your pregnancy! Best wishes fron Albania! Eriona
This post made me cry at my desk at work! Simply put, beautifully written. You will love looking back on this post one day, and so will your daughter :)
What a sweet experience for your family! That’s so great that as a dad he was HAPPY to go. It’s quite refreshing to see a dad like that. Thanks for sharing :).
She will cherish these pictures for the rest of her life. She is like a dream – what little girl does’t want to wear a big tutu and a tiara?!? What a sweet post too, every girl deserves to have a dad that their husband has to live up to!
What a sweet post! And I didn’t know you went to BYU-Idaho! I went there as well and loved going to the dance performances (though I am NOT a dancer). Thanks for sharing that cute memory. :)
I have tears in my eyes after reading this post. Hannah is truly blessed to have your Mr. as a father and you as a mother. Thanks for sharing your story and beautiful photos!
This is the sweetest post ever. I want to have that same feeling with my husband. Its beautiful. Heather looks adorable and I was teary reading this post. Awesome!
Love
Millie.
What a beautiful post! Growing up dancing and being super close with my father (who was at every recital, dance competition, etc.), I know personally how touching moments like that can be. It’s amazing how life comes full circle and how that often sneaks up on you! Your family is absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing this wonderful moment! Your daughter has a fabulous dad!
Chelsea
http://www.hautechildinthecity.com
Awe what a sweet LOVE story!! Your daughter is seriously stunning…and there is nothing more precious than seeing little ones with their Daddy’s!
I think we follow a lot of the same blogs Lacey, I always see your comments ;)
Oh, what a beautiful little daughter you have! Such a little sweet heart, just like her mama! Looks like she is loving her dad at her recital :) and I especially like her Russian red lips, being Russian myself that is I always appreciate some great ballerina to be :)
xo Meg
Awwww, this made me cry. So sweet. . .
One of your very best posts! So poignant.
Oh God, this is the mos beautiful and inspiring post I have ever read! Thank you soo much for sharing it with us Cori! You`re really lovely, and so is your family. I wish you the best of joy and a lot of good luck with your pregnancy! Best wishes fron Albania! Eriona
This post made me cry! so cuteee and your litlle ballerina looks amazing in her costume, just perfect.
Fantastic post- thank you for sharing your wonderful family with us! Tugged at my heartstrings, for sure :)
My heart just melted. So very sweet!
Your little one is adorable!!
This post made me cry at my desk at work! Simply put, beautifully written. You will love looking back on this post one day, and so will your daughter :)
May God continue to bless you and your family, Cori. I am so happy that you and your husband found eachother.
Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!
You have a beautiful way with words and an even more beautiful little daughter! She looks just like you :)
you always make me tear up.
What a sweet experience for your family! That’s so great that as a dad he was HAPPY to go. It’s quite refreshing to see a dad like that. Thanks for sharing :).
This is the sweetest post! You totally have tears in my eyes. Gorgeous pictures, beautiful post. xoxo
My heart is melting…!!!
What a lucky girl she and you are to have such an amazing man in your lives. Very sweet post.
Creamy
Oh that made me cry! Very sweetly written, that was so touching! She looked beautiful!
sweetest post ever……i never comment on blogs but this melted my heart.
She will cherish these pictures for the rest of her life. She is like a dream – what little girl does’t want to wear a big tutu and a tiara?!? What a sweet post too, every girl deserves to have a dad that their husband has to live up to!
What a sweet post! And I didn’t know you went to BYU-Idaho! I went there as well and loved going to the dance performances (though I am NOT a dancer). Thanks for sharing that cute memory. :)
So sweet!
this ballet costume is every little girls’ dream come true!!!
-claire
Los Schoenys
just discovered your blog and I’m your newest follower!
please come check mine out too! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
This is a beautiful moment and memory. Thanks for sharing!
Oliviamoone.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing this with us! Your blog is evidence that love (in all its different forms) really does exist.
Very touching Cori, I loved reading every second of it. Congrats to Ms. Hannah on her performance and lucky you, to have such a wonderful fam :)
These photos are so precious!!! You take great pictures!!
I have tears in my eyes after reading this post. Hannah is truly blessed to have your Mr. as a father and you as a mother. Thanks for sharing your story and beautiful photos!