[ WP ] And now ... We dance .

6:00 am. Every day starts at 6:00 am on the dot. I wake up, jump in the shower for my morning pick-me-up, and get ready for the day. 
 
 After, I usually wake Charli from her peaceful slumber and we begin our morning routine of getting her ready for school. This particular morning she is already up in bed with a grin on her face. 
 
 `` Why are you so happy?'' I ask inquisitively. 
 
 `` It's our field trip today!!!'' 
 
 Oh, crap! 
 
 I totally forgot! 
 
 `` Oh yeah!!! Hurry up then, we ca n't be late!'' 
 
 I totally forgot I am chaperoning Charli and her 3rd grade class for Ballroom Dancing lessons! It's part of their Music class curriculum and when I found out this trip was planned, I knew I had to be a part of it! 
 
 Not only did it give me an excuse to spend time with my daughter, but any chance to get back into dancing just takes me right back to my `` golden years'', as I call them. 
 
 Growing up, you could never stop me from dancing. At the early age of three years old, my parents were watching `` Hello, Dolly!'' one day and something inside me found meaning. I do n't remember the particular details of said event, as I was very young, but that feeling still stays with me today. 
 
 Growing up, I became a part of any and every production you could imagine. From Grease to Annie and everything in between, I had to fill the hunger inside me that was dancing. I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life, and every day, after school and on the weekends, I would dance the hours away. 
 
 Then, a few months ago, my dream was put on a very long, and painful hold. 
 
 I found a lump in my left breast, and once it was examined, one of my greatest fears reared its ugly head. 
 
 Cancer. 
 
 For the past few months, what with the chemotherapy, my doctor's appointments, and the gravity of my situation, my dancing has taken a backseat to my recovery. 
 
 I am confident I will conquer this foe, but sacrifices have had to be made to ensure this battle is won. 
 
 This is why trips like this, with my daughter, are so special to me. I want to cherish every moment and be as much a part of her life as I can. Also, being able to go on field trips and adventures take my mind off the monster hiding within me. 
 
 Anyway, enough of the sob story! It's field trip time! 
 
 We get to her school and arrive just as the kids were lining up for the bus. We head on over and begin the journey to Madame Sonya's Studio, the very studio I learned when I was Chali's age. Everyone on the bus is so excited and seems to love that I am the chaperone. I do n't know what I did, but they all are smiling at me and jumping up and down. I know a lot of these kids, but who knew I was so popular! 
 
 `` Mrs. Torry, are you so excited!?'' John, one of Charli's classmates, basically squealed. 
 
 `` Of course! Dancing is the best, you guys will love it!'' 
 
 Everyone was acting so strange. I've chaperoned before to the Zoo and a movie, but even then the kids were n't jumping for joy as much as they were today. Oh well! It makes me happy they have such an interest in dancing! 
 
 We arrive to Madame Sonya's, take roll call, and then proceed to enter the studio. As soon as the doors open, I have to do a double take. 
 
 Is that my mom? 
 
 Wait... Dad? 
 
 Tracy? Sam!? 
 
 Oh. My. God. 
 
 Madame Sonya's Studio was filled with my loved ones. From my parents to grandparents to friends from across the country, everyone was here, in this very studio. 
 
 `` What is going on!?'' I say, with tears welling up in my eyes. 
 
 My mom steps forward, with a smile of happiness I have n't seen much of since my diagnosis, and says, `` This is all for you. Today, with your friends and family coming from all over, we wanted to show you what we've been working on to help raise money for breast cancer, and more importantly, support you in your battle.'' 
 
 She throws me a shirt, and as I look at the words on printed on the front, everyone pulls out and begins to put on the exact same shirt. 
 
 On the front, imposed over ballet shoes, are the words `` Dance for Dana''. 
 
 I completely lose it. I have never been so moved in my entire life. I truly am loved and knowing I have all these amazing people on my side makes this fight that much easier. 
 
 As I am still sobbing like a little baby, my mother and father come over to me and grab my arms and walk me towards the dancing room. As the doors open, I see candles, flowers, pictures, and, standing in the middle of it all, James. The love of my life and my eternal dancing partner. 
 
 Fully dressed in a Tuxedo he must have just rented, he walks over and grabs me, and as `` It Only Takes a Moment'' from Hello, Dolly! begins to play, he whispers so only I can hear, 
 
 `` And now... We dance.'' 

