Winners in my book!

Tonight, Dancing with the Stars crowned another winner....Congrats to JR and Karina!

However, it's not them I want to talk about. I'd like to talk about Ricki Lake and Derek Hough, my favorite dance couple from this season.

I've made no secret on this blog how much of a Derek Hough fan I am. I'll vote for him every time he's on the floor, even if I don't know his partner. This season however, was different. I used to watch Ricki Lake's talk show and was a fan. So, when I heard she was going to be on the show, I was thrilled, when I heard she was partnered with Derek, I knew I was going to LOVE watching this season and I knew who I would be rooting for.

They made me proud every single week and I couldn't wait until the next week to see them dance again! Ricki talked openly about her struggles with her weight and how it affected her self esteem and about how being on the show had changed all that.

Tonight, after they were eliminated (boo!) a video was shown of their journey throughout the last ten weeks and Derek shared that when he first met Ricki she was incredibly self conscious and didn't want to look at herself in the mirror and always kept her head down. He said that throughout the season, gradually she started to lift her head and she just became became a beautiful princess.

As I sat and listened to Derek tell Ricki's story (through tears, I might add), I felt as if he might as well have been talking about me.

My Cerebral Palsy caused one leg to me shorter than the other and because of that I walk with a noticeable limp. A girl on a walker, with a limp. No reason to stare, right?....Yeah, right! People do, and it drives me crazy! Not only that, but CP also causes me to startle easily so I jump at everything (I've said it before, but you never want to go to the movies with me...You'll probably end up with a lap full of popcorn the first time I jump)! Needless to say, I'm REALLY self conscious about these things. Hearing Derek tell Ricki's story and seeing how DWTS has helped her overcome that and become more comfortable with who she is...Honestly, first it broke me. I cried all the way through the montage of footage and the entire commercial break (Yes, I was sad they didn't win, but that WASN'T the reason I was bawling LOL) and second, it inspired me. I was inspired by how open she was and how Derek stuck by her through it all believing in her so much so that he filled their freestyle dance with numerous lifts and tricks that scared Ricki at first but she did it!

It's not a snap of your fingers and presto your filled with confidence...It's a journey and I'm so thankful to have been able to go on this journey with Ricki and Derek this season! It taught me a lot about myself and inspired me as I walk my own journey.

So, Ricki and Derek, if you ever read this....Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you both for simply being the amazing people God made you.

Ricki-You are a winner! That you for your transparency, bravery, and incredible spirit! Keep holding that head up....You are beautiful inside and out!

Derek-Thank you for constantly being someone I am PROUD to root for season after season! No doubt you are an incredible teacher and amazing person!

You both SHINED this season and I'm proud to call myself a Drickilous fan! Thank you once again!