Dear Dance,

For all of my life you’ve beaten me up, and bruised every inch of my body. I’ve broken bones, strained my muscles, and even pushed through pain others couldn’t, all for you.

For all of my life you’ve taken away all of my time.

For all of my life you’ve made me self-conscious about my body, you forced me to compare myself to others smaller, who were skinner than I.

For all of my life I’ve made sacrifices for you, I chose you over hanging out with friends, I even chose you over my own birthday parties.

For all of my life I have picked you over everything.

But, for all of my life I  wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Because for all of my life I had a place where I felt safe, a place where I could let my emotions free, where I could express my mind.

For all of my life I was pushed to the extreme, you made me stronger than I could’ve ever dreamed.

For all of my life I had an invisible hand pushing me along to make the right choices for my mind and body.

For all of my life I made a family from the people who spent all their time dancing with me and each other.

Because for all my life you have had my heart, and will till the end of my time.