In fact, this is actually how I came to know Wade. I met him when I was about 12, and at that time, he was 18 and not exactly on my husband radar. He was always the guy in the band playing music and I was dancing. We always made a point to speak to one another through the years and it wasn't until I was 19 and in college that he showed a real interest. And from that point on, we have been inseparable.
Now, 6 1/2 years later, we have our own little one to share in all the fun of our youth. Smithville Jamboree is one of the biggest festivals of all and draws thousands from all over the country. They have craft booths for miles and showcase some of the greatest talents in bluegrass music.
We always knew we would raise our family around the festivals and Owen has always shown a great interest even from a very small age. He already has his own little guitar and every time the music starts he never skips a beat; he dances all over the house.
I didn't intend to put him on stage this year. Instead, I thought I would let him watch the others and get a feel for how it's done. As we watched several of the dancing categories from the side of the stage, I could not keep him off the stairs that lead up to the stage, and every time a kid would go up to dance, he would turn and dance right next to me in the grass and clap.
So on a whim; I decided to enter him into the contest just for fun to see what he would do. I got his button and we waited for it to start. He was in the 12 and under category and looked so small standing to wait with the others. Since I registered him at the last minute, he was the first to go in his category. I really wondered how he would do because a lot of the times when they are this small, they get scared and just want to be held the whole time.
When they called his name, we went up on the stage and waited for the music to start. And as soon as it did, Owen took off dancing! I'm talking like a little pro. He danced around, grinning from ear to ear and ate it up. He even did a couple of twirls before the music stopped and when the applause started for him, he clapped for himself too, only to finish up by blowing a kiss to the crowd, which sent a unanimous "Awwww" over it.
As we walked off stage, the announcer asked how old he was and joked that we would be okay if we could keep him from being so shy!!
Talk about proud, it was thrilling to watch him! He was a little doll up there and never missed a beat! This is by far one of the greatest things he has ever done and his daddy and I are so proud.
Personally, this holds such a special meaning for me. It means the world to me that he will get to do something I love so much. But more than that, it was amazing how he wasn't scared or worried what people might think. He was so brave and just loved having the spotlight on him. I'm not sure why I thought it would go any other way. He has always showed so much confidence.
I could go on and on about how awesome this day was and how incredible it turned out to be. We have always been so proud of him, and now it's no different. It's just something else great to add to the list.
Since last weekend, I officially have his tap shoes on order gearing up for the next contest. His Memaw and Pepaw are coming to share in the fun and I can hardly wait to watch him go again.
Here are a few shots of Owen's dancing debut and I hope you find them as charming as I.
A very proud Momma,
Codye
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I even danced this year, which was the first time
in several years.
