So they really can dance! | Columnists | Summerville Journal Scene

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So they really can dance!

Published Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:34 PM

By Judy Watts
Summerville Journal Scene ®

When our oldest Manchild was a baby, I often danced with him, holding him in my arms as I boogied and turned through the house. He would laugh and so would I.

But as he got older and more self-conscious, he took up running instead. He loved to run. When the time came, he even went to cotillion classes, hating every minute of it and promising me when it was over that he would never dance again in retaliation.

So when he called this past spring to say that he and his fiancé were taking dance classes in preparation for the wedding I secretly said to myself, “You go girl.” I was impressed that she had coaxed him into dance classes. I figured he’d half-heartedly attend and quit after the first tow.

Along about May I was chatting with him on the phone one day and he said he had to go.

“Where are you two off to tonight,” I asked.

“We’re starting the intermediate dance classes tonight.”

Whoa. Now I was extremely impressed with my future daughter-in-law.

“That sounds great,” I responded appropriately. “What kind of dance are you learning?”

I’m thinking the fox trot or waltz – the usual ballroom fare.

“We’re tackling the swing tonight.”

Okay. That sounded good.

To tell you the truth, I didn’t think about it any more after that. We were too involved in wedding plans to ponder the finer points of life – like dancing.

So a month ago this week, the wedding happened, kilts on the beach and all, and the reception was in full swing when the announcement was made that the new Mr. and Mrs. were about to dance their first dance as man and wife.

I was expecting an awkward box step.

Now, I don’t know if you have seen the movie “Juno,” but the opening song on that movie is a catchy little run called “All I Want is You,” with the first line, “If I was a flower growing wild and free, all I’d want is you to be my sweet honey bee.”

Well, that’s the song that primed the guests as they got ready for their first dance. “All I want is you, will you be my bride, take me by the hand and stand by my side.”

And then they walked to the dance floor. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Those two launched into a swirling swingy little dance that had everyone applauding and clapping to “Hotel Yorba” by The White Stripes. (I’m guessing that’s not on the top of the play list at most wedding receptions.)

Our Surfer Dude and Dudette weren’t just dancing, they were contenders on “So You Think You Can Dance.” She was as adorable as ever, having fun in her high top tennis shoes and wedding dress. Then the dance slowed to a quiet little waltz that went on for 15 seconds or so, before suddenly spinning into the final verse, “Let’s get married…coz if I’m the man you love the most, you can say ‘I do’ at least, ” and they launched into “The Charleston.”

We were all as in love with them as they were with each other.

When their dance ended in a sweet kiss, it was my turn to dance with my ‘beautiful boy.’ And that was the song we chose to dance to.

“You’re trembling,” I said, and patted him on the back.

“That was scary. I’m glad I didn’t mess up,” he said.

“It wouldn’t have mattered to her or us one bit if you had,” I told him.

After a wedding filled with special touches and highlights, I do believe the dances were the best part. It said as much about commitment, and choosing to do the hard thing (in this case learning a complicated little dance) to make your partner happy as anything else that happened that day.

Contact Judy Watts at jwatts@journalscene.com, Facebook or follow jujujudy on Twitter. Photos are posted at journalscene.com under Photos, Editors Picks.

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