Skating Away

I ordered a pair of ice skates on Amazon a few weeks ago. They are a size too big, but it’s funny how I remembered exactly how to lace them up. I took skating lessons as a child, but never continued with it because I wasn’t fearless enough. I didn’t take chances and I don’t remember even ever doing anything that might make me fall. But I loved the sport with its artistry and grit combined. I watched every competition and special exhibition that aired on TV and followed the careers of my favorite skaters. I was tuned into the drama between Tonya and Nancy and secretly rooted for the blonde underdog.

I always preferred ice dancing above all the others because hardly any of the skaters ever fell, and because it’s one of those things that looks effortless but I know it’s not. There’s one routine that I’ve fallen in love with since I’ve been watching skating at the age of seven. You can watch the video of it below; it needs no explanation.

Now, I’m lacing up my skates after so many years off the ice because I’m not afraid of failure, of falling. I think that my ankles and legs are so much stronger than they have been, and my friends at Pure Barre have inspired me to get back out there. We’ll go together and laugh and fall and look like idiots. I may not be dancing effortlessly on that ice, but I can close my eyes and imagine what it would feel like to move like that. I, Rachel.