A couple of nights ago I got a big treat thanks to my Mom; she was given two tickets to see Cinderella at the Peace Center and she chose me to share them with. While I was working on this post I couldn't help but think back to our last, kind of special in a way, Mom/Daughter date night from a couple years ago. That night was special because it was our last night to enjoy dinner and some fun time before I became a wife. Once again, we got to enjoy some time together, but now it's before I become a Mom!!! So many exciting changes ahead and I'm so thankful to have her by my side for it.

The show was so much fun and we had a great time. I know we will still have our little Mom/Daughter nights once Solomon comes along but they will be different. I will always have that little man on my mind, or in my arms, so it was wonderful to just be carefree one last time with my mom, before I take on that role myself! She definitely gives me a lot to live up to, and for that I'm so incredibly thankful!

Girls Night and Dancing.

No, we did not go to a club to dance. We did something so much better.... happy hour (five dolla drinks, holla!) at High Cotton in downtown Greenville which included the best shrimp and grits in all the land. Then we walked to the Peace Center for some dessert and a little bubbly before watching the amazing dancers from So You Think You Can Dance. We seriously felt like 16 year old girls in High School again. It was so much fun!

It was so nice meeting a new friend, 

and stealing this picture she took with her phone!

Thanks, Lexie!!

The dances were even better live and you could tell they had perfected every single move during the tour. It was so neat to see my season favorites (Jessica & Zack) perform right in front of my eyes! Our seats were great (10th ROW!) and we screamed like little girls at all the amazing moves. It was really awesome to see my favorite performances from the year live also. (This one & this one, since I know you are interested... oh, and this one made me cry, it was so beautiful!) It was a great night and now I'm even more excited about season 12!

An Early Gift.

Over the weekend I took my mom out for dinner and drinks before the ultimate, early Mother’s Day gift ever. A night with John Legend. And yes, he is even dreamier in person, ladies! I knew we would be going to the show from the moment my mom heard he was coming to town. Seeing him live was definitely on her bucket list and I was happy to help and treat her to a little night out for her gift this year. I personally love gifts that create memories instead of a material gift, I’m pretty sure I get that from her. So, we went to dinner downtown and then enjoyed our night with John. The way he sang Bridge Over Troubled Water was probably the best thing my ears have ever heard. Every note that he sang was perfection. And the way he plays that piano… so talented, that man. 

we had dinner at Genevieves which is attached to the Peace Center and it was so wonderful.

Oh, & I also chopped my hair off!!!

I want to kick myself for not bringing my camera for the show since I didn't get the best photos, but the night was so much fun. Plus it was nice to sit back and enjoy it without having any distractions. In conclusion, we had a blast & I’m so glad that I could celebrate Mother’s Day with that sweet Momma of mine! 

brunch & ballet

First time moments are always exciting especially when you get to share those moments with the woman that raised you. On Sunday I got to go see The Nutcracker with my Mom for the first time!! It was magical and so beautiful… we have always wanted to see this ballet but never had the chance. I guess if we had a bucket list of things to do before I’m married this would most definitely be on it. After a delicious brunch at High Cotton in downtown Greenville we walked over to the Peace Center for a little piece of Heaven.

I grew up dancing and had every intention on dancing the rest of my life, maybe even teaching dance but the Lord had different plans. When I hurt my back the summer before my senior year I was devastated and didn’t understand why God would take away something that I loved so much. Looking back now I’m thankful for that time in my life. He pushed me to find comfort in the unfamiliar and find a new place to fit in. I still miss dancing at times and while I sat there watching the dancers spin and leap so gracefully on the stage I definitely had that feeling. You know…. that feeling when you have blurred vision from watery eyes and forced swallows to try and keep the tears back. Yea, that feeling. The tears I faught back weren't of sadness though, they were tears of joy because I had the chance to witness something so beautiful. Something I used to be apart of. While I stood clapping with everyone at the end of the show I couldn’t help but feel sincere happiness. My love of dance was cut short but I’m so thankful that I had that season in my life at all… I definitely don’t miss the bloody toes or annoying pink tights but I will always look back on those years and remember how much I felt alive. Memories are such a great gift and I’m glad I have mine. I’m also thankful for the new memory made with my Mom on Sunday! I couldn’t imagine having that first with anyone else… after all, she’s the one that sat in the crowd and watched me spin and leap on stage all those years. It only makes sense.