About 4-5 years ago, KMM went to the Dover Skating Center for a week of summer camp. And ever since then, she has been on the Delaware Skating Academy’s artistic roller skating team. Since the day she became a member of the team, she has dreamed of competing in a roller skating competition. That dream came true over Memorial Day Weekend when she competed in the American East Coast Artistic Championship at the Rollerdome Skating Family Fun Center in Richmond, VA. KMM was given the opportunity to compete in two different events: figures and Freestyle. Figures are not one of KMM’s favorite events, but she wanted to do something she wouldn’t normally do. On the other hand, Freestyle is her thing; it is what she is most passionate about and excels at.

ROAD TRIP! KMM and I got all packed and started our journey to VA for her very first roller skating competition. Even though we drove through a horrible thunder and lightning storm, KMM and I got there in excellent time.

On Friday night, all the skaters were given scheduled practice times to get used to the rink. At this practice, KMM thought the floor design was different enough from her rink’s floor that she needed to add something new to her routine to get from one side of the floor to the other and still be on time with the music. So KMM and one of her other coaches added a piece to her routine and practiced it that way for the rest of the practice.

KMM’s two events were on Saturday – Figures first and Freestyle next. As I watched KMM practice for both events, I realized I had no idea what to do for her. I didn’t know how to support her; should I let her see me watching her skate; should I hide behind my phone as I recorded her; what do I say to her before she went on the floor each time, and what do I say to her after each event.

I was so in my head about not doing the right thing for her; she wants me, no, she needs me to get it right, but at that moment, I realized I had no idea what was the ‘right’ thing to do for her. If I didn’t say or do the right thing, would she be off her game, and entirely unfocused. SHIT! What do I do? As much as I belittled myself for not knowing what to do or say, I decided I would just ask her.

I explained to KMM that I didn’t want to be a reason for her not being in the right ‘zone’ before her FIgures and then before Freestyle. I told her I wanted to be her best support system; I wanted her to know that I loved and believed in her. I reminded KMM that I was already proud of her for being here and would be even more proud once she got out on the rink floor. I told her when it was time for her Freestyle event, she should close her eyes, get in position, thank Gamster for watching over her, and then let the music run through her and feel the music and the words.

KMM completed her first event and did pretty well, but unfortunately did not place at all. I was getting increasingly nervous waiting for the Freestyle event – KMM didn’t land a single jump during her practice sessions. I knew she wanted to earn her spot on the awards podium. And there wasn’t a thing I could do to help her get there. A few minutes before KMM entered the rink floor, I realized she was sobbing. I didn’t know what to do; should I pretend I didn’t see her sobbing? Should I go to her and find out what happened? We made eye contact, and I knew she needed me. I went to her side, hugged her, and reminded her about our pep talk earlier.

It’s now time… she is about to enter onto the rink floor to start her Freestyle to Dean Fujioka’s, History Maker. I love listening to the lyrics for this song and watching KMM skate to it. The lyrics to this song speak to what was going on with her during the last year and a half – “tired of feeling never enough.” If you knew all the ‘darkness’ that KMM had experienced during that time, you would agree – this is her song.

“There’ll be no more darkness
When you believe in yourself, you are unstoppable
Where your destiny lies, dancing on the blades
You set my heart on fire“

Each time KMM was about to do a jump, I held my breath and prayed she would nail it. And each time she did, she nailed that entire freakin’ performance. Now we would wait to see what the judges thought. When it was time for KMM’s age group to be announced, I stood there, held my breath yet again, and prayed and prayed for her to place in this event – I didn’t care if she got 3rd place; I just wanted her to get one win this weekend – her first big win!

I can’t remember the last time I stood frozen and speechless when I heard the announcer call out her number…. OMG, she got first place! And no, I didn’t embarrass either one of us, but let’s just say KMM wasn’t the only one sobbing that day!