My little shout-out to the Seahawk Hype Girl
There are days when you blink and see your baby again. And then there are days-like today- when you blink and you see a whole woman rising. 1 full day, and 2, 1/2 days left of Middle School.
Natalie just turned 14, May 17th to be exact, so about 2 weeks into year 14. My once tiny “small fry” is now just a bigger version. Maybe a waffle fry? Seems fitting since she eats Chick-Fil-A waffle fries at least once a week.
When she was just a little peanut, we tried ballet. She didn’t love the stockings, nor the tight high bun, but she powered through because, well because I made her. I was a dancer and I wanted that for her. She wasn’t the most graceful, but she looked so cute in her little pink slippers and leotard. Now that I reflect on it a bit, I was definitely more excited about dance than she was. She would moan and groan about how she wanted a snack and just wanted to watch SpongeBob when I was trying to get her ready for class.
Ballet lasted maybe 3 years? It just wasn’t her jam and I wasn’t trying to be the mom that forced her kid to do stuff that they didn’t want to. Why would I? Spending time and money on stuff that wasn’t of interest? I’m all set. I’ll spend time at the beach and money on more gold hoops. No complaints here. If I’m being completely honest, I was a little bit sad that dance didn’t seem to be her “thing” but whatever. She’s 6. She’s got plenty of time to figure out what makes sense, and her happy.
Then there was hip-hop. She was maybe 9? Maybe 10? And she ROCKED IT. We only did one session because we were getting ready to move to South Carolina but man, she was the powerhouse of her recital. FRont and center, in her little pink tee shirt, camo shorts and little Converse Chuck Taylors. She was SO good. I knew at the moment she wasn’t done with dance, in some kind of form and most definitely was born to perform.
And now? We are amping up for year 2 of High School cheer. You read that right. Cheer. And not Massachusetts cheer. This is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina crazy-time cheer. We are in the land of multiple area gyms offering competitive cheer teams, and where girls from all over decked out in glitter come with their families in tow to compete. This is a no joke cheer locale. Glitter, giant bows, poms and practice.
And practice she does. This summer, this girl has been throwing herself into the air with fearless, relentless energy, determined to master the tumbling skills that could be the very final hurdle between another year of JV or making the Varsity team. Either would be amazing. Both offer sideline AND competition, but competition is where Natalie thrives. And she wants Varsity. And let me be clear: she deserves to be there. She’s earned it in spirit, in hustle, in the way she walks into every practice as the team’s built-in megaphone of joy and encouragement. They don’t give trophies for being the hype girl (although she did get a certificate at last years “end of year banquet”), but they should. If they did, she’d have a shelf full by now.
We’re still waiting to hear if she made the cut. She doesn’t have the tumbling skills, yet. But she has the spirit and the butt clench required as a flyer. She has a smile that lights up the room (or gym) and a mouth as loud as can be. Varsity or JV- it’s still cheer, still sweat, still ponytails and braids so tight they double as a facelift – but oh, the difference it makes to a 14 year old heart. And I see it, I see how much it matters to her, how hard she’s working, not just to impress a coach, but to conquer herself – master a body that’s growing fast, a mind that’s already sharp, and a dream that says, “Why not me?”
And as if flipping through the air wasn’t enough, Natalie will be entering High School with a schedule that would make most grown folk rethink their life choices. Advanced classes. Honors coursework. She’s been on the accelerated track since middle school, and she’s not slowing down. She rocked all A’s & B’s through every semester throughout middle school and pulled out the big guns last semester of 8th grade and got ALL A’s! (Proud Mama moment). I joke to friends that she’s already working on her valedictorian speech and planning a non-profit, but honestly? It wouldn’t shock me.
This girl loves a challenge the way most people love Friday nights. And she loves those too. She said to me the other day “I don’t like school, but I’m good at it”, so there ya go. Honesty at its core. She doesn’t run from pressure – she walks into it with her head up, eyelashes curled and a verse in her heart.
Who She Is (And Who She Refuses to Pretend to Be)
Here’s what humbles me the most: Natalie knows who she is. I mean, really knows. In a world that is constantly trying to make girls her age shrink, fit in, or filter themselves into oblivion, my daughter stands firm. She is rooted in her faith, unwavering in her convictions and refreshingly uninterested in people-pleasing. Not to mention her comedic timing of a sitcom star and epic sense of humor. Her ability to side-eye, roast gently, and drop one liners is unmatched. I live in awe of her, even when I want to ring her neck.
Don’t get me wrong, she ain’t perfect. She is still all up in her phone, watching endless TikToks, while trying to recreate them, and doing a pretty solid job. Sending Snaps of her everyday adventures to all of her friends, and taking pictures with the weird peace sign thing across her face. Occasionally having the teenage attitude and asking “why tho?” if I say no to ANOTHER trip to Kirks for ice cream, or to another night of eating out. She has the friend drama, the misunderstandings, the “can you believe that?!?!” moments. She talks smack and is super sarcastic (two traits inherited from yours truly) which can sometimes be taken as “aggressive or rude” by some, but she has a heart of gold, and never means to be brash, she’s just trying to be funny. (which I’ve discovered through my own experiences, isn’t always quite right). But she’s 14, and still learning.
She doesn’t apologize for being kind. Or brilliant. Or honest. Or beautiful. Or ambitious. She doesn’t apologize for having boundaries. Or for respecting the rules. She doesn’t apologize for saying no to what doesn’t feel right – even if it’s popular, trending, easier, or most importantly, what everyone else is doing. And for those reasons? I love her a bit extra.
And when people get weird about it (because oh, they do), she doesn’t flinch. She just smiles, shrugs and moves right along. She tries and mostly succeeds at knowing it’s someone’s loss if they don’t like what she does. Because most of the time? She is doing what’s RIGHT. She is the walking embodiment of Proverbs 31:25 – clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
From My View: Pride, Gratitude and a Little Bit of “Help Me, Jesus”
Watching Natalie these days feels like watching a shooting star in slow motion. You don’t want to blink. You don’t want to interrupt the trajectory. But you do want to bottle it all- the glow, the momentum, the wild beauty of it all.
I’m proud, yes. Proud like it’s my full time job. But I’m also grateful- deeply, weepily grateful – that I get to witness this girl grow into herself with such bold, sacred authority.
And if I’m honest, I’m also just a little bit terrified. Because High School is a different beast. Social pressures are real. Competition is fierce. The stakes feel higher. But then I remember – she’s not walking into this alone. Her faith is not performative, it’s foundational. Her support system is ride-or-die. And her spirit? Built to rise.
Whatever Happens Next…
Whether she flips her way to Varsity or spends another year leading the JV squad like a tiny general with a bow the size of her head, I already know the truth. Natalie is built for more than titles. She’s built for impact. She’s built for leadership. She’s built for moments that demand grace, grit and a glitter bow.
So while we wait (impatiently) for the news from the cheer world, I’m already cheering. Because no matter what squad she lands on, this girl is already winning.
And I’m the lucky mama who gets the front-row seat.