She used to love watching the figure skaters on TV. Every winter, like clockwork, she’d point to the screen and say, “I wanna twirl like that, Daddy.” I’d just nod and say, “Someday.”

But the truth was—someday felt impossible.

Alina was born with a rare muscular condition. She’s seven now, still nonverbal, still in a medical stroller with a monitor humming at her side. We’ve had more hospital overnights than bedtime stories. Still, every time she saw a rink, her eyes would light up like it was Disney on ice.

So this year, I made a promise. Not a someday. A real one.

We bundled her in her coziest blankets, secured every tube and strap, and I wheeled her straight onto the ice.

People stared. Not in a bad way—just confused. Like maybe they thought we were lost or didn’t realize where we were. One teenager even offered to help carry her off.

But I told him, “We’re not leaving. We’re gliding.”

I shuffled my way forward, pushing her gently, one foot at a time. No grace, no speed. Just slow, careful movement. Her eyes stayed wide, and after a few laps, I noticed the tiniest smile peeking out from beneath the oxygen tube.