Dance, an art form in which the participants (usually referred to as dancers) use body movement and technique to tell a story. It is something that is hard to walk away from and even harder to lose a passion for. Dance is a demanding activity for some, a way of life for others, and an occupation for many. And it is something I know better than my own life story.

As a dancer for almost 17 years, I have learned a few things about the art form and myself that I will never let go of. It is an incredible experience to be able to love something, so much and for so long, the way I have loved dance. Dancers find a piece of their identity in dance, they gain a second identity when they tell someone “I am a dancer.” These words mean so much to the person who has the right and the privilege to say them. There are just a few things that, once you are a dancer, will never change. A few truths that no dancer is able to deny.

1. “I can’t, I have dance” isn’t just an excuse.

It's the truth. And we don’t feel bad about it either. We have been stressing over finals and papers and deadlines all year like everyone else, and we deserve our break. We deserve to do the thing we love, and we love to dance.

2. Our feet always hurt.

And our backs too, but mostly our feet. We point, we arch, and we flex these feet thousands of times a year. Sometimes it takes long minutes to rub them out on our own, especially after receiving some of the worst muscle cramps known to man. Our feet have dance callouses and probably look like a medical emergency, but they might be our strongest appendages. And its where all the magic happens.

3. Sometimes, it makes us cry.

We are so heavily passionate and we pour our souls into this. So whether the way we move makes us emotional or we land wrong, so wrong it brings us to tears, once in a while we cry. OK, so it’s more than once in a while.

4. Hours upon hours of dance is nothing.

We have been doing this our whole lives. We have been packing on hours of training, toning and technique since we were 3; well, at least that’s my experience. But no matter how long we have been dancing, even just one dance class required your utmost dedication. And it becomes something that is just part of what we do, part of everyday life.

5. No matter what, we wouldn't give it up for the world.

For those of us who have been doing this as long as I have, there is nothing in this world that could keep us from dancing when we feel inspired. In the car, in the residential building hallways, and in the aisle at the grocery store, if we feel the need, we will dance. We will take as many classes and continue to learn new forms of dance. We continue to be innovative and fresh, we will always be on top of what dance means for a new generation. But most of all, we will remain together. We will stand with our dreams in the sky, no matter what that means for us.

Dancers are the most creative dreamers, the biggest dreamers, and the best of the best when it comes to support. We know what it is to dream big and wish for what's on top. Those of us who are truly dancers inside and out know what it means to be on top and the underdog all at the same time. We know what it means to feel the lowest and the best at the same time. When we dance, we feel happy, sad, broken and put together all at once.

The most amazing feeling in the world is coming off stage with so many others, who have dreams and hopes, but they leave the stage feeling the same way you do. Relieved you didn't tank it, elated at how well it went, yet heartbroken, because you won't be coming back tomorrow to do it again. Now, what’s left? Dance is an art form, dance is a passion, and dance is a way of life.