Last night, for the first time, I got to have my daughter next to my side as we rode in Cleopatra! I’ve spent hours trying to put my feelings about this into words. When Alyssa was growing up I got to be with her every day, even at work, since I owned the studio where she trained. When we traveled for performance or competition trips we took other students with us. We almost always had others with us. In recent years I tried to make sure that one on one trips with her happened even though she is all grown up. They have been magical. I never dreamed they could be topped. Until last night. Last night, being a top that float with Alyssa next to me, as we made thousands of people smile on the parade route and as we delivered happiness in the first uptown parade in 2 years, was beyond everything I dreamed it could be. As i searched for my words to describe it, I wondered if she was as happy as I was. While pondering this, I received a random text from her thanking me and telling me it was one of the most fun nights of her life! I melted. Carnival is not about the things people on the outside think it is. It’s about sisterhoods, brotherhoods, camaraderie & bringing joy. It is a time to really live life & love life & celebrate. We all needed this Mardi Gras / Carnival season after what we’ve all been through and I needed this experience with my daughter. I now know she needed it too! My heart is so full. There are no words to match the emotion. #kreweofcleopatra #hailcleo #mardigras #onetimeinnola #motherdaughter #specialmoments (at New Orleans, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKfZntrmb_/?utm_medium=tumblr