Love and Ballet

We got back to Moscow on Friday, the 25th and on Sunday, joined a couple who have become good friends of ours here at the ballet!

I knew when we made the plans to go to the ballet that it would lead to a blog. If anything, to prove to naysayers that we're cultured, damn it. But the experience had a completely different affect than I thought it would. And I blame a new baby bug.

The ballet was located in the Kremlin, so we got there a little early and took a lovely stroll through the gardens and historic buildings. It would have been more lovely had I worn comfortable shoes, but even coming close to breaking my ankles couldn't distract from the smell of lilac and the green all around.

Once we got inside and to our seats, we saw that we would be sitting behind at least three rows of little girls, sandwiched occasionally by an adult. The girls were distracted, restless and assumedly going to be a pain for us adults who could really appreciate sitting through a professional ballet. I think we all rolled our eyes at our luck. Any open seats elsewhere, maybe? The lights dimmed, the announcement to turn off your cell phones played and the orchestra got situated. All while every single girl sat fidgety and uncomfortable.

But then, the most beautiful thing happened. The lights went out, the curtain was drawn and the first of the dancers came on stage. And every single little girl leaned forward, some crossing their arms on the seat in front of them and resting their head, and they sat, completely engrossed in the beauty of being a ballerina.

Now, I don't remember if I have ever dreamed of being a ballerina, but I do remember childhood dreams of what and who was beautiful and how I wanted to be like that. I think, specifically, it was Vana White. I definitely wanted to be Vana White on Wheel of Fortune. Who knew she would never age and need a successor. (I was waiting, patiently...) I wondered if the cast knew about these little girls up on the balcony, completely absorbed in their talent, beauty and story. I hope that they do. I hope those women on stage feel like princesses and act accordingly so that many more princesses follow in their footsteps. (or tippi-toeing)

It made me think of our new niece. Before we left for Dubai, we got the news that we had become an Aunt and Uncle! We were so thrilled with the news and pictures and instantly began planning how we would get candy-filled drum sets to little baby bug (her new nickname, compliments of Uncle Hubs). But now, I started to think about the little girl turned young lady turned woman she would become and how lucky we are as Crazy Uncle Hubs and Crazy Aunt Me to be a witness to it. And I thought about how lucky we would be if we have children one day and were witnesses to their story. (that day is far, far, far in the future, so lets not read too much into that statement, k?)

What a beautiful thing to see children dream out loud. It was almost a better show in front of us than on stage. And how lovely to have such a beautiful addition to our family to teach us for years to come.

Cheers to baby bug! Welcome to a big world at your disposal. Watch, live and enjoy. (And we eat dessert before dinner when you've over at your aunt and uncles house...)