This was taken when I was oh, about 8 or 9? I was leading a traditional style of Macedonian dancing, aka 'oro'. You've most likely seen this on tv, movies (ex. 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'). My mom is next to me and next to her, is my dad (yah, they were a good looking couple!). They were witnesses to a wedding ceremony and considered 'Head Hanchos' of the wedding party. Next to my dad is my cousin and uncle.

This photo is perfect for a variety of reasons:

-The look on our faces is so serious, so 'watch out, we're coming through'

-I picked up dancing at a  young age. Leading dances of this sort, with the look of an adult,   was our family's parlor/party joke. 'Oh, have you seen our little girl break it down oro-style?'

-The hand perfectly placed on my hip goes back to constant practices I had in my parents' small living room in Warren, Michigan

-To this day, me and my mom are one of the first people to hit the dance floor at weddings

I can't wait until little Liljana leads her first oro:).