14 years...

ago today I was wondering what would happen now that I was a certified J instructor. I had made it through my 11am practical exam, written exam, and the excuriating wait (from 11am to about 6pm) to find out results.
Basically they let us walk into the room where we did our audition and pick up the paper with our name on it. It either said "pass" or "fail" on it. Mine said "pass". I still have that piece of paper...it was one of my proudest days.
This 14 years has gone by in a flash...
-Teaching my very first class in Windham, subbing for someone out sick and wondering what I was doing on the stage. Am I really the instructor? Calling K after (she was teaching in Amherst that night) and crying...so happy I did it, they seemed to have fun in my class and thanking God that first class was over.
-For the next 10 years I taught practically every single day, sometimes more than once and had so much fun.
-First classes in the Church, then in the dance studio...Kayla's arrival, our move to the Center, Kyle's arrival, certifying people at least 2x a year to help us (and others in the District), toilet troubles, broken ankles, sick kids, new customers, old customers coming back...records, cassettes, cd's...ipod! Leotards, thong leotards, bike shorts, jazz pants! Head band mics to cordless mics. K married with no kids then 2 kids, me being single then getting married again...instructors getting certified, getting married, having their own kids.
-I think back to 1981, the year I started taking class in High School. I think of how much I loved it and couldn't wait to go to class each day.
-Now, I hope that, 28 years later, I teach classes that people look forward to attending.
14 years ago it was my dream to be a J instructor and open a Center that K and I could run together.
We did it. Sometimes I still can't believe it.
And, even on those days when the toilets aren't working, an instructor's out sick and I want to tear my hair out...I always take a moment to remember that 3o year old girl who dreamt of being an instructor and how thankful SHE would be to be me....oh yeah, she is me!
So to everyone who has contributed to my incredible journey...thank you. Thank you for attending class, thank you for referring your friends, agreeing to work at our desk, thank you for teaching with us and being so awesome, thanks for sending us those rare but oh so appreciated positive emails....thanks for....
Just letting us live our dreams.
A dream is a wish your heart makes....right?
I made many wishes in my heart throughout my life, but this is one I achieved that surpassed even what I wished for.
Here's to at least another 14!