This is Not Your Average Dance Recital

On Friday night, Harlow and I went to the ballet at Lincoln Center to see one of her best friends perform in Sleeping Beauty. This was not a regular kids dance recital. This was the New York City Ballet with professionals and their prima ballerina and a handful of kids like Harlow's friend Johanna, who auditioned to perform alongside them as part of the company. (The kids even had understudy kids!) Translation: The tickets were not cheap. But Harlow really wanted to go to support her friend and I thought, when am I ever going to know someone performing in the New York City Ballet again? So, I bought the tickets and planned our big night.

That evening, Harlow was so excited. She got all dressed up, wore gold heels and even asked if she could borrow a purse. In the cab, on the way there, she kept taking things out of her purse, putting on lip gloss, reorganizing her wallet and doing a big show of being a grown-up. We got out of the cab and had to run across the street to the theater, because it was freezing, with our heels click clacking on the pavement and Harlow telling me she could no longer feel her toes. It kinda felt like I was out with a girl friend.

If you haven't been, the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center is absolutely stunning with a beautiful paper chandelier installation in the main lobby. The chandeliers drop and open at different speeds and patterns. Everyone was dressed to the nines.

The ballet was amazing. The colorful costumes, the set, the precision...it all looked like a painting. Harlow loved every second, her eyes glued to the stage. Johanna performed towards the end of the first act and was incredible. She was just as precise as the adult ballerinas. But even more than watching Johanna, I loved watching how proud Harlow was to see her friend up there. When her scene was finished, Harlow applauded like she was her parent and then turned to me to say, “Did you see? She smiled the whole time!”

Since the ballet is very long and it was late (first act started at 8pm and was 73 minutes), I asked Harlow if she wanted to stay for the second act. She looked at me like I was crazy, "Of course I want to stay!" During intermission, we got wine and Peanut M&M's and Harlow said, "Let's pretend we're rich uptown ladies." Then she took a seat on a velvet tufted couch, crossed her legs just so, straightened her skirt, and said, "This sweater is Old Navé and these bracelets are from *pause* my personal collection." OMG, she made me laugh so hard. She is seriously the best date.

After the second act was over, we met up with Johanna outside the theater. Harlow gave her a big hug and then asked for her autograph. Johanna looked around and asked if anyone had a pen. Harlow yelled, “I do!” and pulled one out of her purse. The girl came prepared! Then she opened the program to where Johanna’s name was listed with the cast and asked for her to sign it right there.

And just when I thought the celebrity moment was over, Harlow said, “Wait! Can I get a selfie?”

It was the cutest and most supportive little friend moment. I can’t imagine how proud Johanna’s mom must have been to see her daughter perform on stage with the New York City Ballet, after years of studying and auditions and rehearsals, but I know I was pretty proud of Harlow in that moment too. No jealousy. No wanting to take her down a peg. Just pure pride, joy and support. Whatever I have done or not done as a mom, I have raised someone who is a very good friend.

You know, it’s interesting. When I got the tickets, I thought, when am I going to know someone up there again? But it occurred to me as we were leaving, maybe I will always know someone up there. Maybe Johanna will continue on this track and Harlow and I will get to pretend to be fancy uptown ladies over and over again. And if anyone asks, we’ll proudly say, “Oh we’re here to see our friend. The prima ballerina.”

Congratulations, Johanna! We know how hard you have worked to be on that stage and we are so proud of you!