Proof at One Time I Was a Cool Mom
Isn’t it funny how in the moment we feel like we look one way, then later when we see a photo or replay we realize we looked totally different?
That was the case for me when I performed a hip hop dance I had been practicing for the good portion of a year with an adult (beginner, mind you) hip hop class.
I joined when couple of friends of mine and I decided we wanted to get out of the house and try something new.
“Wouldn’t it be fun to dance like that?” We said as we watched a viral Facebook video of an older woman hip hop dancing like nobody’s business.
We signed up to take a class at a local dance studio. By the end of the summer I was the last one standing, not for talents sake (goodness, no) but because I wasn’t moving or pregnant.
I decided to stay with it because it has been a fun way to get out, get some exercise, and commit to something I’d been wanting to try. My kids saw me practicing, and I wanted them to see me doing something I enjoyed. Over the months other women came and went, but a few stayed committed through the year.
This summer all my hard work paid off–Or in other words, came to a humiliating climax, when I performed on stage at the recital. I’m pretty sure we were between a 7-year-old class tap number and a 3-year-old ballet class. Yes, between tiny tap shoes, tutus and frills I went out in red spandex (which my husband calls an 80s mistake) and flannel around my waist (which my husband calls a Canadian mistake) and performed a Willdabeast choreographed dance to Beyonce’s Get Me Bodied.
My son watched in awe. My daughter yelled for me at the top of her lungs. I was a cool mom.
The crowd cheered. And many I’m sure laughed. I took a chance and peeked at the audience and almost busted up laughing myself.
Want to see? Here you go:
Alright, so that wasn’t us, but we looked just as good. Just pretend. Because in my mind, that’s how I looked when I was dancing on stage.
When I got the DVD of our actual performance last week however, I realized I looked nothing like I felt. And that’s why, although I had planned to maybe upload it to YouTube and share on my blog, I’ve chickened out.
I will, however, leave you with a still dorky action photo that captures the coolness I felt that didn’t quite translate on camera.
Be this a lesson to my children. Kids, I love you, and I’ve learned something through this experience. Dance like nobody’s watching. Have fun! Make beautiful memories of the experience. And though I will be on the sidelines recording your every move… If you don’t want to show it to you’re friend’s later. I’m totally ok with that.
Tags: 30x30, bucket list, cool mom, dancing
Good for you!!!
Ha ha ha ha. Ohhh, come on!!!
This makes me so happy. And sad that I had to move and drop out of class!! You better just wrap your head around the fact that I WILL watch that video. One way or another. I’m watching all that I missed out on. So proud of you girl! Way to stick with it!
HAHAHA!
This is awesome. And I continue to love your husband. We are clearly brothers in snark.
Oh my goodness– this is great shot! And your hb is wrong– the flannel shirt was a 90s grunge mistake. š
Good for you! There was a class like yours at my daughters dance recital, though most of those ladies were middle aged or above, and I thought it was so awesome that they had the guts to do that! I bet your kids loved it!
Awesome!! Such a great example for the kids and other moms š I may take a stab at doing something cool.
Girl look at those muscles!!! You look so cute and no one would ever guess you were old enough to be a mom of two! Hopefully you keep the DVD and bust it out at Christmas parties, or slyly insert it between home movies of your babes š you look awesome!!!
Girl you are putting me to shame. There is no way I could do moves like that. It’s great when you find something you love!
Awww, I love this. š
Yes- you are totally awesome! I love love love love this! š You are too cute!