We dry their tears. We shoo away their fears. We bend over backward to help our kids stand tall and strong.
When six-year-old Abigail had to transition to online dance classes during the coronavirus pandemic, she was so excited to see her friends and her dance teacher even if it wasn’t face-to-face.
But she was very nervous about performing a 45-second freestyle ballet routine on Zoom before her peers. And it had to be one she choreographed all on her own.
As if everyone’s anxiety isn’t already through the roof during the pandemic and being forced to stay at home, Abigail had to bravely stand before her classmates and dance to Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Little Swans.”
Abigail’s dad Bryan Witt’s heart ached for his little prima ballerina. He didn’t want her to worry about the footwork or the performance, but knew it was a terrific experience for Abigail.
She would flourish after chasing away those butterflies in her tummy and nailing the routine before her classmates. She just had to take a leap of faith.
Mom Kristen helped Abigail choreograph the routine and rehearse it over and over in the hopes of allaying her fears.
“Over the next few days, she practiced many times and would get upset and cry at the thought of messing up. So, I’d practice with her to boost her confidence.”
Dad Bryan watched his wife and daughter rehearse so many times that he actually memorized the moves, too.
In fact, to help her prepare for the virtual performance with a smile on her face and a giggle gracing her lips, Bryan learned his daughter’s dance routine and practiced it with her!
Mom captured the tenderhearted moment when Bryan nailed Abigail’s routine, dancing right by her side for support. It was the sweetest thing to witness!
Kristen also had been helping Abigail rehearse, but when Dad did it, it just melted hearts.
“She thought it was just so awesome and it made her so happy. I videoed them because it was just so precious.”
Abigail dressed for the role in a pink tutu; Dad wore sporty shorts. The pair began their performance in first position and popped their heads up to begin the routine.
They glided around in a circle in relevé and when Abigail skipped, she showed more pep than Dad, but he definitely earned an A for effort!
Even funnier is when Abigail graceful and lightly leaped with her feet out then back in. All you can hear is dad’s heavy footsteps thumping on the floor.
When they lean side to side, Abigail began to adorably giggle. Dad manages to retain a very solemn expression somehow!
Dad sauntered in a circle with an air about him that is just too darn cute! The video was posted to Facebook where it’s since gone viral.
“When I told my husband I was going to put it on Facebook, he gave me a look like ’don’t you dare.’ But, I did it anyway!”
Bryan was apprehensive about Kristen posting the video, but the response the family has received about the tender moment shared between a daddy and his daughter has been overwhelmingly supportive. Both moms and dads applauded his efforts on Facebook.
“Daddy of the Year right there!”
“I absolutely love everything about this! Way to be an awesome dad, Bryan! Abby is one lucky little girl!”
“This is truly a beautiful thing… Way to go Dad!! You have given your precious little girl a memory that she will forever cherish.. And what a story this will make on her wedding day!! Bravo!!!”
The compliments just kept coming!
“Awesome job Dad! What great parenting! She will remember this kindness forever!”
“I love how she glances over at him, as they dance.”
“Awesome! One day perform that at the daughter’s wedding reception!”
Watch their adorable performance in the video below. You won’t stop smiling!
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