Do you remember your first slow dance?
If I close my eyes and think really hard, I can almost picture my first slow dance.
But since my recollection is still a little hazy, I decided to present it as a half-true, half-embellished play. In short, I dipped the truth in awesomeness. Here, dear readers, is the result ...
The scene: Galena Volunteer Fire Department banquet hall, circa 1995. A slowly spinning disco ball sends little specks of light onto the dance floor while a fog machine spits out thick, chemically mist.
The players: Sam Sessa, an awfully awkward 12- or 13-year-old with short brown hair, sporting light-toned jeans and a cheesy '90s sweater. Becky M., a slightly less awkward -- but still shy -- 12- or 13-year-old with red hair wearing jeans and a cheesy '90s shirt.
DJ: All right all right, it's time to slow it down!
DJ starts playing "I Swear" by All-4-One.
Sam stands to one side of the dance floor, near the wall, shuffling his feet and rubbing his sweaty palms on his jeans. He scans the hall, looking for someone to dance with. He sees Becky, who is sitting in a metal chair by herself on the other side of the hall.
Sam swallows the lump in his throat, which becomes a weight in his stomach. Sam takes a deep breath, slowly lets it out, walks over to where Becky is sitting.
Sam: Hey, uh, Becky! Wouldyouliketodancewithme?
Becky: What? I can't hear you.
Sam: I said, is it cool if we dance?
Sam silently kicks himself for sounding like a dork.
Becky: Sure.
Sam's little heart, which was already beating at twice its normal speed, almost explodes. He walks with Becky to the dance floor, where he stiffly puts both his arms around her torso. They slowly shuffle around the dance floor while the song plays.
When the song ends, the lights come on and the dance is over. Brimming with joy, Young Sam brags to his friends and hops into his parents' minivan for a ride home.
Do you remember your first slow dance?
(Photo by the Kansas City Star)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
No.
Posted by: JTK | April 20, 2009 12:59 PM
Yes,
But I don't remember the play-by-play. It was at a St. Dominic's C.Y.O. dance and the song was probably Color My World, or Nights In White Satin.
Posted by: PCB Rob | April 20, 2009 2:27 PM
Wow. I definitely thought this post would get more comments. But I have learned something today.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 20, 2009 2:29 PM
Hmm, it's very hazy. I think it was an afternoon dance in the gym of my middle school. I'm pretty sure I was wearing an oversized flannel shirt and my partner had one of those ridiculous bowl cuts that were so popular in the late 90s. This will provide some excellent procrastination for this afternoon while I try to remember, haha.
Posted by: CantonKate | April 20, 2009 2:39 PM
Glyndon Elementary School Record Hop Dance circa 1990. Slow dancing involved simply swaying back and forth while facing the other person. No touching whatsoever. Those were the days!
What have you learned today Sam?
Posted by: qzans | April 20, 2009 2:48 PM
qzans, when I wrote this, I thought i'd be clever and try a new way of blogging about something I'm sure tons of other writers have blogged about. I thought it might be something that got a conversation going. wrong. that's what i've learned.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 20, 2009 3:06 PM
Sam,
Wanna conversation starter....look at what your post on the signage at Taps started!!
Posted by: Sturmy | April 20, 2009 3:26 PM
Yeah, seriously. I figured the sign post might stir up some mischief, but I never thought so many people would go nuts over it.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 20, 2009 3:28 PM
I barely remember my last slow dance.
Posted by: Bucky | April 20, 2009 3:40 PM
Moore Jr. High, Redlands California, 1976. If You Leave Me Now, Chicago.
I don't even want to imagine what I was wearing. Most likely white jeans and a striped Ocean Pacific shirt. Sherry Steel, a 13 year old knockout.
Thanks for making me remember.
Posted by: Moondoggy | April 20, 2009 4:12 PM
Sam Sessa:
"Yeah, seriously. I figured the sign post might stir up some mischief, but I never thought so many people would go nuts over it."
anytime you bring up politics or religion you will bring 'em outa' the woodwork!
my first slow dance was a command performance at age 11. had to take ballroom dancing...with GIRLS! gadzooks!
however, by the end of class, that year, somehow girls weren't so bad....
Posted by: ss2 | April 20, 2009 4:52 PM