Marie has been calling it MK's 'dancey day' for weeks. So that's what went on the banner.
The recital itself was about four minutes long. Eight tiny dancers in butter-yellow tulle on a stage far too big for them, holding balloons over their heads. But MK found her spot. She looked out at all of us. That was it...months of classes for four minutes.
Which is why I wanted something for after. Marie drew this for her, buttery yellow to match her costume - and some purple for contrast. Love that pair of pointe shoes for future MK who is four years old and already planning that far ahead. We hung it before we left for the recital so it'd be waiting when we got home.
She walked in still in her costume, holding her flowers, and stopped in front of it. Her name. Her day. On a wall.
The photos of us with the banner are some of the ones I've actually gone back and looked at. I’ll never forget MK being one yellow dot among eight on a huge stage. Pride doesn’t begin to cut it.
It was still up for ages after her ‘dancey day’. She pointed at the pointe shoes many times. I’d like to think she’s dreaming big.
Note from Marie: Drawing a banner for one specific little girl's one specific day is my favourite kind of commission...matching Mackenzie's butter-yellow costume, sneaking in the pointe shoes she hasn't grown into yet. Thank you, Lindsay, for letting me be part of the dancey day.
This blogpost has been contributed to by Lindsay Howse of @littlesummitcreative