“He sat in an empty hall and believed in me”: father-daughter dance touches Kaznet
First choreographer and main supporter
Arailym Bolatova grew up in a large and warm family. Today, she already has a husband and three children, but next to her father, by her own admission, she still feels like that same little girl.
According to Arailym, there was always a special atmosphere in their home: songs, dances and improvised concerts were part of family life. Her father, Nurlan Mustafin, had been professionally involved in dancing since childhood — he could easily do the side splits and repeat Michael Jackson’s moves.
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Arailym herself loved dancing from childhood — anywhere and at any time. It was her father who first noticed her interest and decided it was worth developing.
He enrolled his daughter in dance classes and, in fact, became her first choreographer and the person who believed that a childhood hobby could grow into something more. Training sessions, trips and performances followed. Her father would wait for hours while she practiced. He took time off work to accompany her, met her after training sessions and worried about every performance.
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“Dad was not just a parent, but my first choreographer. In primary school, he choreographed routines for me and my classmates and taught us movements at home. When competitions were held, he would take time off work, come to the assembly hall first and sit alone in the empty hall waiting for my performance. I remember how my heart ached when I saw through a crack in the door that he was sitting in the hallway after a night shift and waiting for me after training,” she shared.
Arailym describes her relationship with her father as very close. According to her, it was thanks to him that she understood from childhood what support from a loved one should look like. Nurlan Mustafin believed in his daughter even when other relatives did not always support her desire to dance and run a blog.
“Dad is my first love. He would tell other relatives: ‘Do not interfere, my daughter will do whatever her soul wishes,’” Arailym admits.
From wedding battles to viral trends
The idea to film videos together came about spontaneously. Arailym was already running a blog, while her father had long been known among relatives and friends for his lively dance battles at weddings. When she needed a partner for another trend, her father immediately suggested: “Come on, daughter, let’s film it together, people will find it interesting.”
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That was how their first joint video appeared. The clip unexpectedly gained many views, and users began leaving warm comments. The audience’s reaction, Arailym admits, gave her even more motivation to continue.
Today, Nurlan Mustafin continues to learn new moves, overcomes fatigue after shifts and even suggests ideas for filming himself.
“Next to me is the same dad. But now with gray hair”
Looking back through archives from different years, Arailym admits that she feels mixed emotions — bright joy and quiet sadness.
“You look at yourself as a little girl, then at yourself today — already married, with three children… And next to you is the same dad. But now with gray hair and little wrinkles on his face. Everything changes, but his attitude toward me remains the same. That makes me feel a little sad, because with age you start thinking about memories with special tenderness,” she said.
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Thousands of users are leaving warm comments under the video and praising the woman’s father, noting his love, care and unwavering support for his daughter over many years.
Arailym admitted that she did not expect her video to become so popular. For her, these videos were very personal. She simply wanted to show her audience how her journey began and what role her father had always played in it.
However, people soon began sharing their own stories about parents, childhood and fathers. Some admitted that after watching the video, they went back to look through old photos and family recordings.
“One day you will understand that this is unique and the best time of your life,” “The best video I have ever seen,” “You are so wonderful, especially your dad. I couldn’t watch it from beginning to end without smiling. You are very lucky to have such a father,” “Dad dances better every time,” “The saddest thing in this video is seeing how your father gets older over the years,” “How happy she is with her dad,” commenters wrote.
Arailym, of course, shows users’ reactions to her father. According to his daughter, before publishing their joint videos, Nurlan Mustafin also worries about whether people will like the video and appreciate their dance. After publication, he may smile and joke: “Well, now we’ve become stars.”
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Arailym noted that her father is grateful for the opportunity to be close to his daughter and is happy that, thanks to their joint videos, people recognize him and respond to him warmly. However, views are far from the main thing for him. What matters most is that they continue doing something together.
“Thank you for being my dad”
Arailym is now a mother of three herself and is only beginning to truly understand how much love there was in all those actions that once seemed ordinary.
Her father continues to help his daughter even now. He comes to see his grandchildren so that she can work, film content and develop her business.
Today, looking back on her life, the woman says there is only one thing she would like to say to her father: “Thank you.”
“I want to tell him: ‘Dad, thank you for being my dad and for believing in that little girl who simply loved dancing and singing with you. Your support, Dad, had such a strong impact on my life. Thank you for every ride to training, for the hours of waiting, for your support, for never devaluing my dreams. Thank you for allowing me to feel: I can do it because Dad believes in me,’” Arailym concluded.
The woman plans to continue creating new memories together with her father. Because one day, short dance videos may turn out to be much more than just social media clips. They will become a story about family. A story that was preserved.