The Lord blessed me with five nephews and one niece. Abbie (and my second nephew) are high school seniors this year (not to mention my oldest nephew is a Baylor University graduating senior this year). Not only is Abbie graduating high school, but she'll be "graduating" from the dance studio, too. This is her senior year and 15th year of dancing. This is Hannah Kate's 10th year of dancing. These girls have taken the stage together for what will be 10 years this May. Both will dance with their classes, and both will dance solos honoring their milestone years. Only this year will be different.
Hannah Kate has NEVER danced without Abbie. But this will be their final year together. We had dance recital pictures a couple of weekends ago. Hannah Kate asked if she and Abbie could have their picture taken together this year so that's what we did. Their ballet costumes were so complimentary in style and color so that's what they chose to wear, and Miss Katherine posed them. I can't wait to get these back!
I was totally fine about all of this (NOT REALLY) and even made it through pictures without a single tear. But then the studio published Abbie's senior spotlight. She wrote, "the person who inspires me the most is my not so little cousin Hannah Kate Bayham," and she went on to talk about their years dancing together and Hannah Kate's love of dance. We had no idea Abbie was going to give that shout out to Hannah Kate, and I nearly bawled the first time I read it. She also posted a couple of old dance pics.
