As my anniversary gift, my husband gave me something unexpected; dance lessons. In all the years we've been together, he's never been one to "shake what his momma gave him" ..claiming that he is the most rhythmically challenged Caucasian to never grace a dance floor. But he did this and so a stunned Contessa headed off to dance school.
The first few sessions were tough. I like to think I have a sense of rhythm and enjoy dancing, although I had a sneaking suspicion that I resembled Elaine from Seinfeld more often than not. I have led my husband (when and if I could get him to join me) since day one and the prospect of giving that up was difficult. After all, I had our dances down pat, knew when to turn, how to signal and even move around the floor. I could make us look presentable.
Now I was told to let all my hard work go to pot. WHAT??? You mean I was supposed to listen and do what HE said?! Ummmm no. Not happy with that at all. I would get frustrated with him when he couldn't get the turns right or the signals in on time. There were lots of dirty looks, stompy feet, accompanied by impatient eye-rolling and heavy sighs but he just kept at it. He wouldn't give up. We looked like prairie dogs hopping up and down at different times and speeds. Eventually, I relented and stopped pinching him when the teacher wasn't looking. Our instructor's mantra: It is just as hard to follow as it is to lead. I hear you! I HEAR YOU! So I began to relax, trust him and discovered that with only one leader, we actually made progress.
We had a goal: a wedding on the 19th of April and a cruise to Europe in May. We wanted to be comfortable by then...not Dancing with the Stars quality; but beyond counting out loud, stomping to find the beat, having our tongues poking out of the corners of our mouths in deep musical concentration, and certainly past smooshed tootsies. Our instructor had her work cut out for her, but she's done a fabulous job. She's pushed us, encouraged us, and yes, laughed at us. Who couldn't? When we began, if anyone asked us a question within ear shot, we had to stop short; multi-tasking was not an option. We wore out the tops of each others' shoes by stepping on them and seriously had to consider using shin guards. I learned the hard way to NEVER wear open toed shoes to class or I would have at least four bloody stumps to show for it when finished. We attended practice sessions that were disastrous. We watched enviously as many fabulous dancers swirled by us elegantly while we clunked about scolding each other for miscounted steps or incorrect hand holding. I know we looked like old folks driving 19mph in the fast lane at rush hour. That's certainly how we felt. We would get stuck in the corners, not remembering how to get out without stopping, turning at direct right angles and then counting off, bobbing our heads like those wooden birds that dip into glasses of water and beginning again. If we were lucky, we would only be a couple of steps behind the actual beat of the song. We usually broke out into a nervous, embarrassed sweat. But slowly, confidence snuck in. We could turn and enjoy the stylish additions that made our dances "ours" rather than wincing at misguided elbows or dislocated wrists during poorly timed improvised blunders. We began to pass couples scolding each other, struggling to find the beat or just moving slowly like old folks in the fast lane during rush hour. We were dancing together; not just at the same time.
I know you all have calendars and I am here to say...We did it...and Holy crap! We looked GOOOOOOOOOD! We have about four dances that are our favorites and lemme tell ya, we worked it. He was debonair and graceful as he led me through salsa, swing and even a few foxtrots (not the stuffy stodgy kind, the sexy romantic type). We hustled our buns off. And better yet? We were talking to each other and those around us as if it were second nature. It was fabulous.
Thank you Cheech, for one of the BEST gifts ever. I've loved every bumbling step we've taken because the finished product is unique and beautiful. Dance lessons were fun too.
