introducing her to my first love

Today I introduced Mya to my first love--ice skating. I've been secretly counting the days until Mya's little feet would fit perfectly in those brown leather boots. I was hoping she would love it as much as I did as a child. And she did. I can't tell you how many memories I have of ice skating. I ice skated competitively for over ten years. When I think of my childhood, there are few memories that don't include an ice rink of some sort.

Every time I walk into a rink, a flood of feelings attack me and I nearly always tear up remembering how much I loved the ice. I loved the smell of the ice. I loved the way it felt on my blades as I glided forward and backward. I loved how my lungs felt open and clear as I breathed in the chilled air. I loved the smell of sweat that accompanied a hard day on the ice. I loved lacing up my boots and wiping the ice from my blades.

Today those nostalgic feelings almost choked me as I helped Mya lace up her own boots. As I dressed her in her hat and gloves, I couldn't help but pull her close to me. The more I pulled her close, the more she struggled free. She just wanted to get on the ice. Just like her mama. She has no fear. I quickly found a locker for our things but was too slow to see her initial reaction to the ice. When I reached the opening, she was already scooting the ice between her skates as she clung to the wall.

The newly-minted memory lasted 35 minutes. She fell over and over but never lost the smile. I carried her and we skated around the rink several times letting the air blow through our hair. As we exited the rink, she looked at me and said, "Mom, I was brave, huh?" Yes...baby...you were. You were a dream.