(this post may be boring for you guys, and I'm sorry, but it's something I need for my memory)
Because of where I am in my life, there's a lot about the past 22 years that doesn't get shown on here...I want to be sure to remember things that happened before my blog world began, so here's a quick glimpse in to one of the most important things in my life...
I started dance when I was 2.5 years old...and took my last dance this past April.
That's 20 years of dance! 
3 year old Eclectically E.
I got to be a dalmation.
Every 3 year olds dream, yes?
Dance was the most important thing in my life from the time I started, and even though I don't have a distinct dance path anymore, it still holds such a special place in my heart.
I tried every other sport possible growing up, but knew that dance was what I wanted to put my energy in to...
and I did just that. In high school I danced 4 days a week, and spent my weekends at competitions. It was a huge time commitment, but it never phased me, because that's where I wanted to be and I was with my closest friends doing what I loved most.
There's something special about dancers that I can't really explain...if you enjoy dancing, chances are you are going to enjoy each other. Most of my closest friends have been made through dance and I am so thankful for those friendships. My dance friendships have experienced some of my lowest points and some of my happiest times.
I am also lucky because I had a family who stood behind my love for dance and supported me with their whole hearts. I could never thank them enough for all the time, money and support they gave me over the years...I could say thank you every day for the rest of my life and I still wouldn't feel like it was enough. They have the sweetest hearts and I'm so thankful they believed in my talent like they did.
It's because of them my dance career didn't stop 4 years ago when I graduated college...
I spent my 4 years in college at Clemson on the dance team and made some of the greatest memories of my life during that time! And even better...my family barely missed a game (they didn't miss a football game all 4 years, and if it hadn't been for me fussing they would have been at every single basketball game...but I worried about them too much driving back and forth 2 hours each way).
Being on the dance team at Clemson was worth every bit of the time I put in. Dedication was put to a whole new level...I spent 3, sometimes 4 nights a week practicing and had mandatory workouts every T/Th morning at 6:30 AM! Yes...my college girl self woke up at 6:30 two times a week to go work out. Remember...it was mandatory, not an option! I got to spend Saturday's in the fall on the football field and every basketball game in Littlejohn. I felt blessed every time I got to perform in front of Clemson fans and it's a feeling I don't believe I'll ever be able to explain.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to dance at Clemson for the past 4 years...I'm thankful for the memories, and more importantly for the friendships. There's a whole new team of girls that will be in death valley this year and while I am going to miss that feeling, I am so excited about this new part of my life!
I'm not sure how it is I will stay in touch with my dancing side for the rest of my life...but surely there's a chance out there some where! I surely just can't walk away after 20 years of it.
"...and so she would dance"