Remember me talking about Bennett being asked to dance in this year’s “Dancing With the Ohio Valley Stars”?  Well, last night was the big performance.  And he did AMAZING.

Seriously.  I couldn’t be prouder of that husband of mine.  It was estimated that the Capitol Theatre held over 1,000 Ohio Valley attendees as they watched some local celebrities shake it on stage.  It was so. much. fun.  I will be going every year that it is held from now on. 

We went with Bennett in the morning to the dress rehearsal and got a preview of all the dances.  I was blown away then…and then all over again in the evening when we saw the show as a whole.  The contestants have put so many hours of work into perfecting their performances and it showed.  All of the “stars” have full-time jobs and families and other obligations and they were all able to take several hours/days/weeks of their time to practice for this amazing fundraiser event.

^^We put together this fun composite photo of one of the performances during yesterday’s dress rehearsal.  The headmaster at Louis’ school was the winner of last year’s DWTOVS and she came back again this year to do an opening performance with her partner and a bunch of fourth and fifth graders from the school.  It was awesome to watch.  And Louis was STOKED to see Mrs. HL up on stage.

Bennett and (his partner) Chelsea were awarded the Judges Choice “Flashiest” Award.  They didn’t come home with the big trophy but that didn’t matter to us.  I mean, he would have loved to have won but the fact that he got to be a part of this contest at all was amazing.  I’m mildly jealous.  Maybe I can convince some of the organizers to bend the rules and let my non-celebrity self be a dancer next year. 

I made some Bennett-on-a-sticks for his friends and family to hold up and wave obnoxiously in support of our guy up on that stage.  I’m so glad I did too, because Bennett was able to see us in the audience and it was nice to be able to have a small connection with him while he was doing his thing.

Yesterday felt like one big party.  There was a pre-show event, the ‘big show’, an after party and then an after-after party.  Glad I got to tag along for everything.  The entire day was insanely fun.

And though it might not be the world’s best quality video….here’s what I shot with my phone during his performance last night.  In case you missed it!  Here is that amazing man of mine up on stage, in front of 1,000 people, dancing the Charleston.  Go Bennett!!

Thanks so much to Kathy and the team at the Augusta Levy Learning Center for letting our family be a part of his amazing night.  Everyone was so wonderful and your organization is inspiring.  Proud to have the ALLC in Wheeling!