Nothing is more beautiful than ..

Going to dance frustrated and driving home happy. 

Watching the girl you teach struggle and struggle with leap 23's, until one week, she does them, full speed, across the floor. 

Leaping higher than you thought you could and moving faster than seems possible. 

Finally hearing where a step goes in the music. 

The last minute, tight, I-love-you hug you get after you teach. 

Watching your favorite little girl in the world dance around her house, not even thinking about. 

Showing off to a little girl you teach and seeing in her eyes, I want to do THAT. Show me how to dance like THAT. 

That moment, the smaller than split second moment, when you are in a leap or a jump and everything freezes in the air. You literally defy gravity, hanging above the floor with nothing to support you but the momentum you created just a breathe ago. 

Feeling shaky and exhausted and ready for bed, not thinking you can keep dancing. Until you actually start dancing. And that moment, the one where you forget everything except for the step, that moment is beautiful. There is nothing else, but dance. Nothing else matters, except lining up the steps and your feet and the sounds with the music. And when you do, when everything falls into place and you hit it right on, with crossed, turned out feet and loud sounds, well, it's amazing. Indescribable. Rare. 

But you know what's really beautiful? 

Dance.