My parents have always danced. At least, they've danced as long as I can remember.
They square danced when we were little (round danced too.) Toted us around to square dance weekends at campgrounds in Pennsylvania and practice workshops in the area. Many of my summertime memories were from Cherry Ridge Square Dance Campground. I even tried square dancing out myself sometime in later elementary school. That didn't last.
This travelling for dancing actually came in handy when I was in college. They went to a workshop on Long Island and I'd hitch a ride with them to visit my boyfriend. They even square danced at our wedding (not my proudest bridal moment but they enjoyed it.)
I think that's the first time I noticed "it." My parents & their friends knew HOW to dance. Not just rock back and forth or do the Electric Slide, they knew how to count, and turn, and lead.
Sometime after I got married, they started couples line dancing. They started teaching couples line dancing for the Town of Cortland. Then they started hosting dance weekends in New Hampshire, and they still teach dancing to this day in The Villages. Every Monday morning (when they're not travelling), they tote their equipment & music and teach others.
We were in The Villages last weekend for my father's 80th birthday including a surprise party. That's when I saw "it" again. Most of the guests were from three "circles" of my parent's friends: dancers, RVers, and neighbors. My mother hired a DJ and told them "there WILL be dancing." When the party got started, my mother told the guests to "respect each other's dance space." And this is why...they ALL danced! And they all danced correctly but in their own style.
There was a group who could line dance to any song played. There were those who danced the classic couples "ballroom" dances. I was envious at how naturally dancing came to them, and sad to think that my generation seems to have missed out on this timeless enjoyment.
Now Pierce can "cut a rug" on the dance floor, but that's more to party music. What stands out when my parents & their friends take the dance floor, is the synchronization. Whether they're waltzing, two-stepping, or cha-cha'ing, they all have "it."
