Diary of a Daughter (Based off of "Moments")

Fourty-Two: Joining Marching Band

4/24/25

Dear Diary,

I haven't told Daddy M this just yet, but I am joining the marching band! I remember Daddy M showing me pictures of him when he was in marching band and as soon as I found out there was a marching band signup for next season, I immediately signed up for it. Sadly, I don't know how to play any instruments, but since Colorguard involves flags and some dancing, I figure I would give that a shot! I can't wait!

~Em

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Daddy S drove me over to the high school for our first rehearsal, which was for a parade that they do every year.

"When are we gonna tell this to Dad?" I asked.
"The day of the parade." Daddy S said.
"How are we gonna keep it a secret from him for that long?" I asked.
"I'm not sure." Daddy S responded.
"I have rehearsals two nights a week." I told Daddy S.
"Well Daddy M is much more of a fool than I am." Daddy S explained. "So maybe I'll just tell him that we have stuff we have to do."
"Won't he become suspicious?" I asked.
"Probably." Daddy S nodded. "But he'll wait until the time comes."

As we pulled up to the high school, I noticed all the members of the Colorguard already outside and spinning flags. My jaw dropped as I saw some of them spinning and tossing flags in the air.

"Wow..." I said.
"You excited?" Daddy S asked.
"I'm kinda nervous..." I responded.
"Don't be," Daddy S assured me, "You'll do great!"

I nodded as I left the car and headed over to the area. Almost instantly, a member of the Colorguard welcomed me.

"Hi! I'm Katie!" She said, "You must be Emily!"
"How'd you know that?" I asked.
"I'll be honest, you're kind of popular in the school, well, more popular in my grade anyways." Katie explained.

I immediately became nervous as the memories of Lyndsey, Shannon and Taylor blew through my mind again.

"Don't worry," Katie assured me, "I promise you we'll treat you like everybody else. We're all a family here!"
I smirked a smile, "Okay..."

Katie smiled. She then took me to grab a flag and we began practicing some of the basics. It took me a few minutes to get used to all of them, but I did get them down.

"That's awesome! You're doing really good!" Katie smiled.
"Thank you." I nodded.
"Those are the movements that we'll be using for the parade next month, so we're only going to teach you that stuff for right now." Katie claimed.
"Okay." I said.
I then asked, "What kind of stuff do we do in marching band?"
"We do shows every year and we compete in some marching band competitions across the state." Katie responded, "we also perform at half time in the football games."
"Wow, that's what my Dad used to do!" I said.
"It's pretty hectic but it's really exciting, especially when your hard work pays off when you win." Katie responded.
"I can't wait!" I responded.

Just then, we were called in by the instructor to practice together as a group. We then began learning the first half of the parade routine. It seemed really simple and repetitive, and it was also kind of exciting.

Afterwards, before practice ended, we went inside and met and talked with the director. He seemed really cool, and he was really happy about all the new people that were going to do marching band this year.

Then, when practice was over, Daddy S picked me up.

"How was practice?" Daddy S asked.
"Really good!" I responded, "I got everything down really well!"
"That's good!" Daddy S said.
"Has Daddy M asked anything yet?" I asked.
"No, not yet." Daddy S responded, "but once we start actually leaving the house more to go to practice he'll probably ask."
"I honestly can't wait until the parade comes!" I said.
"Me neither." Daddy S agreed.
---

5/25/25

Dear Diary,

It's almost time for the parade and I am real excited! Daddy M has became suspicious about what we were doing these past few weeks, but he didn't even ask anything. We're hoping anything he's thinking that we're doing isn't anything bad. Lol.
Daddy S has told me that I would have to sleep over a friends house tomorrow night for the parade the following day. Daddy M would be thinking I was sleeping over May's house. Then he would take Daddy M to the area where the parade is at and wait until the parade comes. We're one of the first bands out there! So hopefully I'll be able to fully surprise him!
I've already told Katie about my plan and she would gladly let me sleep over her house for the parade. A few other Colorguard and band members were going to sleep over as well. I am kind of nervous, but these people are completely different from Lyndsey, Shannon and Taylor, so I think I can trust them!

Em

---
That Monday, we woke up bright and early to prepare ourselves to head over to the high school to go to the parade. We all helped each other out in getting each other's hair up and we put our shirts and pants on before heading over to the school. We then went on buses, which took us all the way to the start of the parade area. We practiced for a half hour before we were told to line up. After 15 minutes of just standing there, we actually began marching.

This is where I actually start to grow nervous. What if Daddy S or Daddy M somehow weren't there? What if I messed up in front of them? I tried to keep these questions out of my head as we turned the street and saw a huge group of people on the sidewalks cheering us on. This is when we began to perform.

Then, midway through the routine, I found Daddy S and Daddy M from a distance. I could see the confusion in Daddy M's eyes as he saw our high school marching band banner. But then as I came closer and closer to where they were, Daddy M soon realized that I was there performing in the parade and he was waving like crazy to me. As much as I wanted to wave to him I couldn't, and luckily, I didn't mess up either. But the excitement on his face told me that he was surprised. Mission accomplished!

We then continued marching throughout the next mile or two before finally ending the parade. Daddy M and Daddy S took a back route to meet up with us. As soon as we reached the end, Daddy S and Daddy M were there, Daddy M came over to me and hugged me tightly.

"Why didn't you tell me you were in the marching band?" Daddy M asked.
"Daddy S wanted me to keep it a surprise." I responded.
"So all those times you were going out and doing stuff you were practicing?" Daddy M asked.
"Well yeah..." I nodded, laughing.
Daddy S then grinned and giggled, "I got so much nostalgia watching you and the others perform out there."
"So did I!" Daddy S smiled.
"Wait, you were in the marching band?" I asked.
"No." Daddy S responded, "but I was in the stands watching your Dad perform."
"Yep, he was always the one yelling "GEEK!" To me on the field." Mark remarked.
"Please don't do that to me." I said.
"We'll see." Daddy S responded.

After about another 15-20 minutes, the band director dismissed us and we were allowed to go home.
---

5/27/25

Dear Diary,

The parade went well and Daddy M was completely surprised! I'm so glad I did the parade! I can't wait to see what we do next in marching band. Katie tells me band camp is up next. It seems cool but Katie told me it's not. I'm not sure how I feel about it honestly.

~Em

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HEY GUYS! Sorry this chapter was so long! I didn't honestly want to include this part but I knew since Mark did marching band, I knew I had to have Emily do it! I also got this idea from past experiences since I also did Colorguard in marching band!

Did you guys like the idea?

Q: Do you guys do marching band and if so, what instrument do you play? Or do you do Colorguard?

More to come!
~Jackir30