Yesterday evening I prepared to go out on a date. I was nervous. I wanted everything to be perfect. I went and took a shower. When I came out, I found my clothes set out on the bed. My slacks, shirt, tie, and shoes had been selected for me. My best cologne sat on the table. Everything had to be just right.
I have been on dates before, but this was a first date. This was no ordinary first date. I had the pleasure of taking our daughter to her first (formal) dance. This first date was unlike any other first date. When I was single, a first date was about making a good enough impression to get a second date. The second date allowed for corrections from the first. There was no second for this one. This dance would be the dance she would hold in her memories forever. I wanted this to be something that would bring a smile to her on those days in the future when I am longer here to hold her hand.
The time came for us to meet. I held the corsage in my hand – I hoped she would like it. She came out of her room in a beautiful, white dress with black sweater. She smiled when she saw me. She liked her selection of wardrobe for me. I placed the corsage on her wrist and we took pictures. We departed for the dance.
The dance hall looked like a welcoming winter scene. We entered under a silver, white, and blue balloon arch between two white trees. Snow blew out at you as you entered the door. The hall had snowflakes, trees, white deer, big and small snowmen, and other items to make you think winter. The Girl Scout leaders, including my wife Nancy, did a marvelous job.
The music started and the dancing began. The night saw dads of all ages dancing with their daughters. I approached my date. We took hands and started moving to the music. She stepped up on my toes and let out a little giggle. We moved about the dance floor. We were the only ones there, at least that we noticed or cared. The song had a country sound to it. A man sang/spoke words describing his daughter growing up. It started with a description of him dancing with his daughter. Soon a boyfriend came into the picture and then she was walking down the aisle. Both a great and horrible song to play for Dads dancing with their daughters.
The night went on to include many dances. The girls danced with each other, the danced in groups, pictures were taken, and memories were made. Over a hundred young ladies, all dressed like princesses, danced the night away. With each note, I knew that this night was flying by and her first dance would soon come to an end.
An Adele song came on to allow for those moments once again. This time the stepping on shoes would not be enough. I lifted her. I brought her even with my eyes. I could see the smile, I could see the sparkle in her eye. Happiness was all over her face. She was making memories for herself. I held her. I stared at her face, and I prayed. I prayed that years from now, when I can no longer dance with her, when I am no longer here to hold her hand, I prayed that this would be one of the things she remembers. I pray that it is not the toughness I showed to get her through homework or other issues that comes back to her mind. I wish that this night is one of the things that comes to her mind.
The night is over. We go back through the parking lot to the car. Things in the hall are already being torn down. The winter wonderland has melted, and we return to the real world. All the way home, she talks about the night and what she loved about it. The list is long.
While the above is beautiful it is not quite reality. The hall was beautiful as were the young princesses. The calmness was a little bit not so calm. The dance was actually filled with little girls running around with their friends squealing with delight. Dads were sitting along the side waiting for their time to dance. Some dads tried getting the girls to dance old school styles with them. It was loud, but it was amazing. However, even amidst all of this chaos there were moments. Those times, as presented, when my daughter came to me to dance. She walked over, she took my hand, and the world stopped.
So no, this dance was nothing like those you see in movies from the 50s. It was better. It was great.