Orlando Magic Dancer Throwbacks

Hey everyone! How is your day going? I am in a state of confusion on where the heck mine went.

Today is a very exciting one for me! You see, tomorrow I am leaving for Florida to take part in the Orlando Magic Dancers 25th Anniversary Reunion! That’s right… warm, sunny Florida where it is currently in the 60s. That’s slightly warmer than the 9 degrees surrounding me here.

I have spent my entire day preparing for the weekend. And when I say “preparing” I really mean getting a spray tan (yup… I already scrubbed off last week’s for a fresh coat) and reminiscing over old dancing days through pictures. Whoops.

(P.S. I also might be the only one currently this tan color up here.)

Since 10 a.m. I have done nothing but search for pictures online, make collages, and organize them into folders on the computer. Okay, attempt to organize them. I swear I will get them all settled and up one of these days!

And then there were these guys, just laying there luring me in for a quick few minutes of snuggling.

I have a feeling they all get the sense that I will be leaving them for a few days because the suitcase and piles of clothes are out. Last night, Roadie brought out his extra sad eyes when he saw Scott doing the same thing!

I mean, who has the kind of will power to just walk by that? Nobody.

Subway Footlong for the Win

On the way home from my appointment and errands this morning, I stopped into Subway to get an egg white breakfast sandwich. Somewhere between the front door and the ordering line, I decided on lunch instead. I ended up ordering my go-to turkey on wheat footlong loaded with veggies to enjoy half then for breakfast and half later.

It’s later right?

Excuse me while I devour this real quick. And we’re back!

I should be doing so much more with my time, and as soon as I publish this post I swear I’ll get to it. But, since it is Throwback (<- apparently an official “thing” now) Thursday and there is a reunion approaching, it only seems right to share a collection of some of my favorite Orlando Magic Dancer memories. Get ready for ’em!

Orlando Magic Dancer Throwbacks

I could fill this post with countless stories and giggles, but for time’s sake I am just going to stick with the pictures accompanied by brief captioning.

I remember the exact feeling I had making the team for my 2007-08 Rookie Season. I felt on top of the world and had the utmost confidence.

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Right away, I said yes to an opportunity to travel the world and formed a close bond with a group of women I would now call my sisters.

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I dressed up as a zombie and performed in my own costume on Halloween!

I got to belay from the ceiling during the NBA Finals (!!!) and dunk basketballs on-court and all over the globe!

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I was chosen to perform overseas a handful of times including trips to China (twice!), Indonesia, and Italy!

My first year was “the best.” But then again, I said that after the closing of every single season. I went into my first veteran season knowing I was in for a great year in 2008.

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I put my heart and soul into this job, and got to dunk more basketballs and travel with the team to watch the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland and NBA Finals in L.A.!

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I sat on the sidelines while my dad took the court over with the 3D Dancing Dads!

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Yes, those are our “real” dads out there. The grey hair on the far right belongs to me! Check out one of their hilarious fun routines!

Over the course of four seasons, I met so many great women and souls I still stay connected with to this day. I went through four(ish) different hair colors and styles and feel so grateful to be able to reconnect and relive all of it in just a couple of days.

While searching Google for at least an hour (don’t you hate when that happens? Sucks you right in!) I found the mother load. I remember one of our die hard Magic Fans named Jose who came to every single home game, documenting it all every time!

From intros and basketball plays to timeout routines and sidelines, he somehow captured it all. And did it very well!

While aimlessly searching for photos to share with you, I found all of his albums for every single game, starting in 2005. Can you imagine how many photos he has gone through and edited?

I thought it was great at the time, but never realized how appreciative I would be of this super fan today. He even created Magic Dancer albums, and organized them by each game, complete with captions.

I am so, so thankful I now have a place to find the photos he so lovingly took the time to take, edit, and upload for all of those years.

All of the following photos are from his albums. Thank you so much, Jose!

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I finished my fourth season dancing for the Orlando Magic in 2011. I had every intention on trying out for one “final” season that summer, but there were other plans God had in store for Scott and I.

You all know the rest of the story. We moved up to Michigan for Scott’s job opportunity with the Detroit Pistons, and I am now close to finishing my second season dancing for them! I feel very fortunate and blessed to say I have danced in the NBA for six years and will always remember my twenties filled with these precious dancing memories.

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Today, it is incredibly hard to stay focused on everything I need to get done to enjoy the weekend away! I keep finding more pictures, messaging friends, and can hardly contain my excitement to start the festivities already. Sadly, I must.

I know I will have many stories to share about the weekend when I return home Monday. I am looking forward to a very magical weekend and can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Thank you for sharing these memories with me. See you bright and early tomorrow morning with this week’s Friday Favorites!