Contra Dancing

This weekend, Shaun and I had our first real date since having Ella. I say "real" because the first time we went out without her we just went to buy things for her so Shaun says that doesn't count. But this Friday, this Friday was official. Shaun and I were invited by our good friends to join them for a night of CONTRADANCING! Never heard of it? Neither had we, so let me just try to explain it by giving this analogy...

Imagine Jane Austin type choreographed dancing where partners face each other and do a series of moves, but instead of people in froofy dresses and knickers, most regular contradancers look like they came right out of the 1960's. So yes, hippies meets Jane Austen! Do you have the visual yet?

Beyond being quite the cultural experience, it was an amazingly fun evening! First of all, our friends are wonderful. Second of all, we actually got to dance together for the first time since getting married. Shaun and I love dancing, so this is something we've missed since our single days. Shaun even got asked to dance by one of the pro contradancers (she looked sort of like a woodland fairy and seemed very nice). They made a lovely couple, and I was happy to sit out and watch since contradancing is quite tiring. Also, the room it was held in had no AC. Let me just say, I have a new perspective of those balls held in the Jane Austen novels and it involves the concept of body odor. Even with today's modern amenities and beautiful inventions such as deodorant, the smell was less than appealing. Of course, some of the hippies don't do the whole deodorant thing, but still. So poor Jane Austen never wrote of smelling of sweet flowers for a reason. Okay, back to my point... I was happy to take a break and allow Shaun to dance a turn with his new admirer.

After a great evening of dancing with the hippies, we gladly joined our friends at the Silver Diner for dessert. It made me think back to all of those single days and the frequent visits we made to all night diners after dances. I really enjoyed those days, but I think things are even better now because instead of wondering what the boys are thinking, I get to go home with one. I guess the whole night had me reflecting on where life has taken me in the last four years since getting married, and I'm happy to report I felt good about the journey so far. As for the contradancing, who knows? Maybe we'll try it again some time:)