the dance

we recently changed out our album art. we have a couple of those frames that hold lp records, and thought it was time for a quick change. this was one of those that got changed out. we decided to put it on the turntable since it had just been hanging up there for 6 months or more. and what a great record. we played it over and over that night. when i do finally get my usb needle replaced, i'll definitely have to post this one.
but the other thing that's so great about it to me, and the reason it hung up there was the image. the happy couple dancing together. the other one that hung with it was a very similar image, only it was a photograph instead of a drawing. they looked as if they went together and made a perfect pairing. and on the back of this one there is a great dance diagram. i guess back in the day for young couples learning to dance together these records were a wonderful instructional or suitable accompaniment at home hosted dance parties.


one year we received in the mail a coupon for a free dance lesson at the arthur murray studio and decided to try it out. i always like going by the dance studio at night and peering in at the beautiful scene of lighted movement contrasted against a dark city street and sidewalk. our instructor that night was a latin man with a ponytail, tight pants and flamenco boots. he patiently guided us through a number of basic steps as we clumsily hoofed around the floor together. we laughed all night at our awkwardness and left wanting more. so many times we have been to weddings and watched as older couples gracefully slid by and so wanted to do that too.
and the dance serves as a perfect metaphor for our marriage. as the years roll on we have stumbled and stepped on each others toes. we have felt out of rhythm and lost as more graceful couples seemed to slide effortlessly by. but i think we are getting better at it. it takes time. and that is what we promised each other, the time of our lives.