| I was really glad when my daughter told me | | | | arrived. She packed them in her bag, but then she |
| during her fifth birthday, that she wants to be a | | | | told me that she would be dancing in her sandals. I |
| ballerina when she grows up. It thrilled me to | | | | just sighed and hoped that her teacher can do a |
| know that I had a true little girl who is not | | | | better job of convincing her to wear the ballet |
| interested in being a tomboy. I enrolled her into | | | | shoes. |
| some creative dance classes before going into | | | | All of the other girls in her class were running |
| ballet. I was overjoyed when her instructors told | | | | around happily in their outfits when we arrived. My |
| me after the first year, that they thought she | | | | daughter removed her sandals but was content |
| would be perfect for beginner ballet lessons. | | | | to walk around barefoot. I whispered the issue to |
| My daughter and I were so excited that we | | | | her ballet teacher, who agreed to deal with it. She |
| rushed out to buy the outfits that she would | | | | approached my daughter and whispered |
| need for her ballet classes. My daughter looked so | | | | something in her ear. Before I knew it, the ballet |
| beautiful in her tights that I was literally I was | | | | shoes were on my daughters feet. I was amazed |
| taking pictures of her every few seconds. Then | | | | and pleased when I left the room. |
| we began to look for ballet shoes. The | | | | My daughter is now in high school and has gone |
| salesperson was very helpful, but my daughter | | | | through several pairs of ballet shoes. She is still |
| didn't like the way that the shoes felt on her feet. | | | | determined to chase her dream of being a |
| I tried to explain to her that ballet shoes were | | | | ballerina in the future. I feel very proud and happy |
| supposed to feel that way. I also told her that | | | | whenever I see her carrying those pink ballet |
| she has to wear them if she wanted to take | | | | shoes to class. Many of my paychecks have been |
| ballet classes. My daughter pouted for a few | | | | spent on buying her ballet outfits and shoes. But I |
| moments and then finally agreed. | | | | can tell you that I have never once complained |
| She attended her first ballet class after a week. | | | | about a single dollar I spent. I still even have that |
| My little girl was all decked out elegantly in her | | | | first pair of tiny shoes for ballet that we |
| new outfit, but refused to put the ballet shoes on. | | | | purchased. They are now sitting on my dresser, |
| I had to plead with her for about 15 minutes | | | | next to a picture of my daughter in her first ballet |
| before I was able to convince her that she could | | | | recital. |
| wear sandals and put her shoes on when we | | | | |