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Thursday, January 11th, 2007
Last night we went to our fourth private dance lesson (we’ve been taking group lessons on and off since the summer), and for the first time it really clicked. We caught onto the new steps faster and retained the old ones better, so for the first time the teacher could help us focus on the details. How to point the toe, hold out the arm, really throw our bodies into the crossover.
But more than that, we clicked with each other. Everything was smoother.
And that goes for how we treated each other, too. We were kinder and more forgiving. We smiled more and bickered less. We didn’t blame each other. The atmosphere was light, not thick with tension.
I’m learning to follow better, and Darwin’s becoming a better leader.
And this new way of dancing takes some of the tension out of practicing and going places to dance. Before, I had to insist – more like throw tantrums – before he’d consent to anything. And then I’d have to half-drag him through the dances. No wonder I tried to lead, right? If I didn’t, we wouldn’t go anywhere!
Darwin still doesn’t giddily leap up to practice; he doesn’t turn on Michael Buble’s “Quando, Quando, Quando” and say, “Rumba with me, baby!” But since we started the private lessons, he’s become less confused and more confident. Our teacher constantly tells him that he’s a “natural dancer” and has a wonderful frame and great rhythm, things that are hard to teach. That would make anyone feel a little more eager to participate.
He won’t admit it, but I can tell he’s having fun. Now so can I.