The Dance Recital Was Overflowing with Hearts

I went to see my middle schooler's dance recital. When I was in middle school, dance wasn't a mandatory subject, so that alone felt fresh to me.

To think that the students themselves could create such a high-quality stage. Before I knew it, I felt as if they had completely outgrown me.

Every year, every class gets better. It was dazzling to watch how the kids who had clearly been dancing for a long time naturally took on leadership roles, while the center position was rotated among them.

They watch TikTok regularly and have fun perfectly copying the dances. Perhaps it's just an extension of their daily lives. Everyone was truly talented.

The teacher's words also left an impression on me.
"I want you to cherish the emotions that arise when you decide you want to express something yourself and then perform it in front of others."

I truly thought that was spot on. Surely those emotions will remain, filtered but present, even as they become adults, and they will surely serve as a support for their future school life.

Things that didn't go well at first gradually took shape through repeated practice, a sense of unity was born, and eventually, independent practice sessions began.
And then, they started saying, "You absolutely have to come see it."

What was impressive was the sheer number of heart-shaped poses.
Hearts made by one person using both hands, hearts formed by two people, and hearts completed by four people.

There were many scenes where the formation itself was a heart, and the gymnasium was literally overflowing with hearts. I came home having received so much happiness.

Everyone was truly vibrant.
I think their expressions told that story better than anything else. I was truly happy to be able to watch over them. Thank you.