"If I'm sad, I dance"
Not quite sure where to begin. Freddie was at the age of about 4, one of my best friends Jo who was a freestyle dancer herself as a child told me, Ali you need to get Freddie dancing! He's wiggling around and non stop moving. I didn't really listen and we did gymnastics and ballet instead. Skip forward to 8 years old, and we tried out a local class in Bicester. The one Jo told me a few years back.
We started the fun dance classes with Grace and Fred's seemed to blossom. A few months passed and before I knew it he was doing a little dance exam. I went in all floaty and dreamy and like, yeah, cool this is nice, little nervous too I guess. Freddie danced his little routines and boom que Kelly Jane. She got my number and called me after and said I need your Boy. He is special, he's the full package and will go far. Would you join the squad and complete? I was shocked and instantly said yeah, why not! So we quit gymnastics and ballet and well full into this new world.
I had no clude what we were going into. Next, it was crazy amount of money, endless driving and loads of snacks and safety pins! But we loved it. I'd never seen Freddie so happy doing something he loved so much. It didn't matter about money or early mornings. It was a joy to see and be a part of this new life. His dance journey escalated real quick and went from u10 beginning to u12 champ boy in 9 months. A whirlwind, insane 9 months. I feel like I've learned so much myself since those early days.
It's not to say we have had struggles, he was a bit picked on by boys in primary school because he doesn't play football. He just hangs with girls, and still does now in secondary school. I honestly don't know what he would do if he didn't have dance! He's not keen on all other sports and is in bottom set for PE because he can't be arsed!
I am truly grateful for dance because this is what makes him the person he is today. Dance makes him unique and different and I couldn't be prouder! How ever far he decides to go in life with it, well that's totally up to him. I feel like his dancing is where he feels the most safe. We fight all the time these days and I can't tell you how many times I would say just quit then!! We get over it and then I say come one now, push harder if you want that win, it's in you. You need to unleash it. We're heading towards the teen years and the imposter is creeping in. But you need to show up and fight!
Who knows what the next few years will hold? I am grateful for the journsey so far, the memories and being able to witness so much talent. These kids who do this week in, week out, show up and paint their faces are just mesmerising! I'm in awe of the talent on the dance floor and feel blessed to be a little part of it.
Ali, Freddie's Mum.