I used to dance in high school. I think I may have told you this before, but I’m not sure. I was pretty serious about it too. Pointe shoes, dance camp, the whole nine yards.
Then in college I kept up with it to some extent, but less for serious and more for fun.
I miss dancing a lot. Sometimes I think I should take a class, but I know it would never be the same. I actually tried a ballet class a few years ago and I held my own pretty well. I was really proud of myself for doing such a good job, keeping up with the steps and jumps and spins. I couldn’t walk for a few days after, and going up stairs was pretty much torture, but I did it. Ok, ok I might be exaggerating a little. But anyways, like I said, it just wasn’t the same.
I think for me, one of the best parts of dancing and being a dancer, besides the thrill of moving through space, were the friends I made. It’s like any sport or hobby, really, you find a connection with other people who have a love for the same things you do. It’s happening to me now with blogging in the same way.
So anyways, I have the specific memory with some of my closest dance friends from college. We were an eclectic mix really, all so very different, but that’s one of the reasons I loved this group of people much. We all loved to dance and the rest didn’t matter.
It was spring vacation and while the rest of our school was away at home or off drinking on the beach on some island in the Caribbean, we were spending our time at a dance festival (taking classes, performing, watching all kind of glorious dance). We were getting to know each other better and better, which is what happens when you spend every waking moment with people, and at the end of one of our last days at the festival, as we were leaving the parking lot, I had this incredible experience I will never forget.
Whitney came on the radio.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
Without even discussing it we stopped the car in the middle of the parking lot, blasted the music as loud as it would go, opened the doors, got out, and started dancing.
We lifted our heads to the sky and threw our arms open wide.
We jammed and swayed and felt that music in the deepest part of our beings.
We just danced and danced like dancing fools do. Not a care in the world, not a bit of worry or embarrassment or self-consciousness.
We just danced our hearts out. All 5 of us right there in that parking lot.
We danced to Whitney and we loved it.
And forever I will love that song because it reminds me, truly, of when I was young and wild and free.
oh gosh i loved this story so much. such a pure and wonderful memory. i bet she would have loved to have heard this story.
This is SO beautiful. What an amazing homage. As soon as I read the title, that song popped into my head. What a legacy.
I can absolutely envision you as a dancer. Especially now that you’ve got such a wicked top knot. ;-)
Oh my gosh you made my week with that top knot comment.
I danced for 18 years, and have been dying to get back into it, I am just afraid it won’t be the same!! I remember dancing to Whitney a few times <3 Adore this post!!
What a lovely memory to have. PS – The dress in the picture you posted is delightful! I’d love to have something flowy like that
Love this post, so so sweet. Anddd danceworksboston.com, just in case :)
I will keep it in mind! Thanks, Emily!
This is wonderful :) Such a sweet memory! I’ve always thought of pursuing dance, but it’s been more of a dream than a goal. I could definitely see you getting back into it some time!
xoxo, e
Hi Anna, it’s been a long time, but I found your blog through Moe Hannan’s. I remember this moment so well, and was what I immediately thought of when I heard about Whitney’s passing. I remember I had a sub-heading on my AIM buddy list after that: “wanna dance w/ somebody” and all of you guys were there. This post made me tear up. I’m glad to see and hear that you are doing well.
xoxo, Anna C.
Anna!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, my! How glad I am that you found my blog and saw this post!!! I love this memory SO much. It’s one of my best college memories and i think aout it every time i hear that song. And thank you, thank you for sending those picutres! They definitely made me smile! :)
Thanks for saying hi!!
Oh, also, I am going to email you my Dad’s photo gallery from the senior dance concert 2005 that has photos from Emily’s piece that we performed at ACDFA. Hopefully it makes you smile!