Gabrielle Aguiar-Forrest

💜 Happy Birthday, McKenzie! 💜

Again, I’m not usually one for sappy birthday posts, but having Rachel and McKenzie’s birthdays back-to-back always feels extra special — even though they always seem to fall on the busiest weeks of the year. Whether it’s parade week, showcase week, or both, these two still show up, give their all, and support me and this studio in ways that mean so much.

McKenzie has been in my life for many years now, and it still feels a little magical how we ended up crossing paths at exactly the right time. She signed up to take a class and ended up teaching it on the spot, and the rest is history. Since then, she’s become someone I rely on, someone I trust completely, and someone who brings strength, honesty, and heart into everything she does.

We are kind of like the Three Musketeers — each of us bringing something different, something essential to our friendships and studio family. I couldn’t do what I do without them. McKenzie shows up for me, for her students, for our team, for our community, and for Alegria with passion, loyalty, humor, and a fire that makes the studio better, just because she’s in it.

She is chosen family, in every sense. She loves my kids like an auntie, she supports me through joyful moments and challenging ones, and she’s woven into the fabric of this studio and my life in such a meaningful way. She treats me like a sister. She’s my sounding board, brainstormer, and she calls me on my bullsh*t when I need it - because she’s honest, but also incredibly forgiving and fiercely loyal.

McKenzie, I hope today brings you the joy and celebration you deserve. 💜✨
Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Rachel 💜

I’m not usually one for sappy friend birthday posts, but some people become family we choose, and you’re one of them.

I’ll never forget how you started working at Alegria: you were sitting in the audience during a COVID show rehearsal, watching Tamsin, and I found out you had a dance degree and had been a dancer your whole life. When you said life had gotten in the way of teaching dance, something in me knew exactly what to do and I offered you a job on the spot. You were shy about it at first, but then you started taking a class you honestly could’ve taught… and eventually did. The rest is history.

Since then, we’ve shared so many joys: Disney trips (planned and coincidental), spooky season tings, elder-millennial emo nostalgia, silliness, and the kind of laughter that weakens our pelvic floor muscles… all in addition to daily studio shenanigans. 💀

I adore your family, I love spoiling your daughter (because I don’t have girls), and I’m so grateful for the light you all bring into my life. You are strong, steady, creative, detail-oriented, and one of the beating hearts of Alegria.

I’m so thankful to call you a friend and to work beside you every day. I hope today made you feel as appreciated as you truly are. 💜✨

Yesterday was all about being present, so I barely took any photos — and honestly, I loved it. 🧡
The food was amazing (yes, I proudly ate the turkey neck because my mom always saves it for me 😂), the stuffing was perfect, and my heart felt full.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday… no gifts, no pressure, just family, food, and being together. Celebrating my favorite holiday in my birthday month feels even sweeter. Grateful, grateful, grateful. 🍂💛

This year’s birthday didn’t go quite as planned — I was sick on the 10th — but I ended up feeling so celebrated in the days before and those that followed. 💜
Mark took me to a beautiful dinner in Oakhurst before my birthday, and by the end of the week I got to enjoy the TC Gala, cake at my sister’s house, sweet gifts from friends, and flowers from one of my students.
Even though the actual day wasn’t great, the love that surrounded me before and after meant everything. Feeling grateful for another year! 💜✨

✨ What a gift it was to spend my afternoon surrounded by such inspiring women. 💜

Thank you to my friend Allie .209 for inviting me (and honestly, for putting it on my calendar and giving me no choice 😅) — because it was exactly what I needed. The keynote speaker’s message about “having so much on your plate” hit home in every way — as an entrepreneur, as a mom, and as someone who’s constantly trying to balance it all.

I often feel guilty taking time for things like this, but today reminded me that filling my own cup matters too. Seeing familiar faces — like Victoria and others from the small women’s group we used to have at Jessica’s house () years ago — was such a full-circle moment.

Grateful for the reminder that we’re all doing our best to pour into our families, our work, and our communities, and that it’s okay to pause and be poured into too. 💜

The women who made me who I am. 💕