I whirled and twirled around the living room with my Nanny. “I love to dance! I love to dance!” I chanted. My Nanny and I were preparing for my first day of dancing school tomorrow, and I could not be more excited. As the day went on, I started to become more anxious. I figured that my nerves came from an exciting place. I dreamed of this day since the day I could walk!

And just like that the day was over and it was time for bed, but I am not tired, and I am so very nervous for tomorrow! I jumped into bed with the hope that if I closed my eyes, I would fall right asleep! But boy, was I wrong. With my eyes closed, I began to toss and turn thinking so many different thoughts about tomorrow. The scariest thought was, “What If I'm not as good as the others?” Oh no, this thought lingered in my mind all the way to sunrise.

“Come on Tori, it's the big day, I hope you are up getting ready for your first day,” I hear from my bedroom door. “Um, yeah!” I replied. I soon rushed out of bed and started to get ready for my first day! Nanny begins by telling me about her dancing school days and how much she loved it as I am getting ready. I begin pep talking myself, “You got this Tori. No need for bad thoughts." But I could not help it. I was so nervous that I would not be as good as the others.

WELCOME TO

DANCE!

Nanny and I leave shortly and arrive at the dance studio! Uh-oh, my stomach does not feel so good. I feel like there are little butterflies in my belly flying all around! “Deep breaths Tori, deep breaths,” I think to myself. I slowly start to walk into the dance studio and begin to grip Nanny's hand so tight. I take one long look around the classroom as the other kids are in first position. My eyes fill quickly like a bucket of water at an amusement park and my butterflies grow stronger. I quickly release Nanny’s hand and run right out of the dance room as Nanny chases after me.  

“I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't do it!"

It will get better!

"I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't do it,” I tell Nanny. "I'm not as good as the other dancers," I explain as I bury my head into nanny’s stomach. With a warm smile and hand on my shoulder, Nanny gently says, "It will get better,” and tells me that she too did the same thing on her first day of dance. With a sense of relief I exclaim,” You did?” Nanny begins by saying, “I cried on the first day too, except I was not as good and brave as you are, Tori. My mom saw that I had a passion for dance before I did and I did not believe in myself. But, I believed in my mom, so for her I gave it a second chance and overcame my fear!” I began to wipe my tears and feel a sense of release. “I am just like my Nanny,” I thought to myself. 

WELCOME TO

DANCE!

Tori, “Do you want to try dancing school one more time?” asked Nanny.

“Of course,” I exclaimed. “I love to dance! And if you got over your fear, so can I!”  

 “I am so proud of you,” said Nanny, as she held my hand. I explained that I was still a little nervous and that I needed her by my side. She agreed that she would do anything to help me, and soon we both began smiling and holding hands outside the dance floor. 

Week by week, my confidence grew. I was like a flower blossoming, and I loved it. Nanny started to help me prepare for the recital at home. The weeks and months were flying, and just like that, it was my big day - well, I should say my and Nanny's big day since she has helped me so much along the way. 

 Soon enough I was backstage and I could feel my heart beating so fast as I heard clapping and cheering coming from the audience. Uh-oh, the same butterflies were back from that first day and tears started to fill my eyes. “Not again, I can't do this! I just can’t,” I say to myself. As I begin to turn around and run out, I feel a warm hand press onto my shoulder. The warm hand felt familiar and my body slowly began to relax as the warmness from the hand melted my heart. As I slowly start to turn around, I see it is my Nanny! She hugs me so tight telling me how proud she is of me for making it this far and then reaches out her hands holding a tutu!