The music clicks on and it is time to begin. I desperately want to look at my feet in order to keep them in line, but I work to keep my head up, my eyes centered on him. I place my right hand in his left, and my other on his shoulder. He smiles at me, blue eyes twinkling as we count off together. 1, 2, 3, begin.
Slow, slow, quick, quick.
Slow, quick, quick.
He sends me out for a twirl, and I am not expecting it. I stumble over my feet.
We laugh at our attempts to keep time with the music, as the instructor rushes over to my side. “You must learn how to follow. Always be a quarter step behind him.” I nod, and as the instructor walks away. My husband catches my eye and says “I told you so,” without opening his mouth.
*****
You see, marriage? It is a delicate dance. It’s trusting your partner to know what direction is best and not let you bump into other couples on the dance floor, walls or pointy objects. It’s learning to keep your head up and not look at the floor, worrying that you might trip. It’s knowing that sometimes you will be off tempo, and you have to come back to center. It’s going with the flow of being twirled without a moment’s notice, knowing that your partner will keep you safe. It’s knowing that, in the end, you will always come back together.
It’s learning when to lead and when to follow.
And let’s just say, I’ve never been a follower.
But I’m learning.
And like the say in the dance world, practice makes perfect.
1, 2, 3…begin.
******
Linked up with Shell for Pour Your Heart Out.
Dancing is soooo much fun. Unfortunately I lost my dancing partner because he moved away, and hubby doesn't like to dance. So: jealous of you 🙂
Have fun and enjoy leading, Casey, and following, Jenn! 🙂
I LOVE this post.
The end.
What a thrilling comparison of dancing to marriage. So true. Like you, I'm not much of a follower but to do the Tango we have to know when to follow and when to lead. LOL. I luv this post. It's quite refreshing to read.
Awww, so sweet!
Waht a wonderful way to connect marriage to dance. I love this. I can't really add much more…you nailed it! 🙂
I couldn't get my husband to dance but this is a great way to describe marriage in general, step together, stumble, step together, get in sync, stumble again.
So beautiful!
Marriage really is like a dance! So many complicated little steps, but with the potential for such a beautiful, cohesive movement. Too often, I think I step on my husband's toes… I think I'll try to take a step back and actually LET him lead.
You are such a beautiful writer Jenn! I love the way to describe as a delicate dance.