Human Treasures

​

Another graduation party... these kids just won't stop growing up!

So many of my former dance students are now graduating from high school and college. I count myself incredibly lucky to still be part of their lives and to be invited to celebrate these milestones with them. Of course, many of their moms have become close friends over the years too, adding to my ever-growing collection of human treasures.

Jen is one of those special people I'm so grateful walked through my studio doors years ago with her daughter, a tiny two-year-old with an enormous personality. We became fast friends almost immediately. Well, that tiny little girl is now all grown up and has almost grown into that larger-than-life personality... Almost!

The party was absolutely wonderful. Photos from every school year lined the pathway leading to the backyard, and I found myself smiling as I remembered every single stage of her life. There was a huge tent filled with family and friends, a delicious buffet, specialty drinks, and smiles everywhere you turned. 

Tim and I spent the evening catching up with old friends and making plenty of new ones. One couple surprised us when we discovered they live right next door to the house where I grew up.  They invited us to come visit my old stomping grounds and can't wait to hear stories about what the neighborhood was like decades ago. Funny how a simple conversation can bring your past rushing right back.

We had planned to leave early after a long, busy week, but once the fire pit was lit, there was no convincing us to go home just yet. Jen had also rented a giant inflatable jousting arena, which provided nonstop entertainment as the kids, and quite a few adults, tried to knock each other off their pedestals. I had no idea they even made such a thing, but it was certainly fun to watch!

Plans where in the works all around, even Jen's staff (if you remember, she's also my dentist!) decided my next dental appointment should be the last one of the day so they can close the office afterward and they can have me teach  a little Mahjong lesson. Only around a fire pit do plans like that seem perfectly reasonable.

It's funny how life works. I thought I was just teaching dance for all those years,  but what I was really doing was building friendships that would last a lifetime. Watching these children grow into remarkable young adults has been one of the greatest unexpected gifts of all. I seem to have countless kids and adults that will forever call me Miss Rachel... and I couldn't be happier! 

"The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don't tell you what to see." — Alexandra K. Trenfor