Thursday, August 14, 2014

When Life Comes Full Circle

Today was pretty nostalgic for me. In January 2009 Kit and I opened a dance studio/creative arts center here on Kauai, and we even lived in an apartment we built in the back of it. 

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - KauaiOpening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai2 weeks later we unexpectedly found out we were pregnant. It was the hardest year of my life, being pregnant with 7 months of severe morning sickness, laying flooring, renovating, teaching dance 6 days a week, etc. 
Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai


Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - KauaiIronically, about a dozen friends and acquaintances also had babies (mostly girls) that year on Kauai. When Ivy was born in October 2009, I was just about out of energy. 

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai
We closed our business on December 31, 2009 and moved to Maui to recuperate, saying goodbye to our Kauai family, friends and our vision. 

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai
You can still see where it says Green Light above the address
Yesterday, for the first time since we closed, I went back to the building where we had our studio. It's now a yoga studio that also rents out the space to dance teachers. I went there to teach 3 dance classes for KUGA. As I began my first class, I was filled with so much joy and ease. The space we created was still being used for dance education, and it all came back to me as I remembered how I loved the studio size, the lighting and the light wood floors. But the coolest part was that 5 of those little Kauai girls, who were born in 2009, were there, as they are now old enough to dance in my classes. That was my dream 5 years ago, and today it came to fruition. 

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai
Ivy was a little sleepy when we arrived, and wasn't understanding the significance of where she stood. :)
Thank you to my friends who brought their kids to class yesterday. For you, it may have been just another day, but for me, it was one of those moments I won't forget - where life comes full circle, and everything you worked so hard for finally means something. 

Opening a dance studio when pregnant & having a baby - Kauai

Aloha,
Rebecca

8 comments:

  1. It's amazing how life works sometimes huh! ALSO...my husband and I are visiting Hawaii for the first time this fall. So excited! Any tips you can give us for Maui? :)

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    1. Fun! Do you have a place to stay yet? My parents do vacation rentals in Kihei on Maui, if not. What kinds of things do you like? Here's the basics: Haleakala Sunrise (or sunset), Road to Hana, Makena "Big" Beach, Old Lahaina Luau, Snorkel Trip to Molokini, Iao Valley, Twin Falls, Ziplining… Restaurants: Monkeypod in Wailea, Flatbread in Paia, Coconuts in Kihei, Ululani's Shave Ice, Leoda's in Oluwalu (I blogged about Ululani's and Leoda's… They're AMAZING!)

      http://www.ivy-and-co.com/search?q=ululani%27s

      http://www.ivy-and-co.com/search?q=leoda%27s

      Let me know if you need any more info!

      And PS: so sorry about the Olaffle debacle!! I can't believe people!

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  2. It's such a great feeling to know that something that you dreamed and had a vision for came to reality and, even though you left it, is still there today for the exact same purpose. It's awesome!!!

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    1. Exactly. I think too, that bitterness could have crept in that I wasn't "in charge" of the space or something, but I'm glad the feeling was joy, instead. Owning a dance studio is stressful!! I love just being able to show up and teach!

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  3. Wow, that had to be an amazing feeling seeing it all come together. I love your pics too. The sleeping photo is so cute.

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    1. Haha, thanks, Erica. Those are some #throwback pics, for sure.

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