Some married couples might not enjoy spending a lot of “alone” time together. However, there are a number of local husbands and wives who enjoy dancing together.
Bruce and Carol Huester have been married just three years. Carol, who has been dancing since she was a little girl, had said she would only marry someone who danced or at least was willing to try.
Bruce was more of a freestyle guy but had always wanted to learn ballroom. Dance came together for them when they had to prepare their wedding dance, “Lasso the Moon.” They laughed and had so much fun during the process, even when Bruce almost dropped Carol while doing a dip.
They had some pressure to learn the dance quickly but really enjoyed learning something new together. Their performance drew lots of “oooohs” and “aaaaahs” from the crowd. To this day, they take their dance shoes with them every time they travel.
Mary and Glenn Taylor started with square dancing through their church but always had their eye on ballroom dance. They began with group lessons in New Jersey and eventually moved on to private lessons.
They worked hard and tackled a lot of technical aspects of ballroom dance, such as their frame, balance, posture, timing and accuracy. After some time off raising their kids, they went back to ballroom and realized how much they had missed time spent together without distractions.
Mary enjoys the process of learning the dance, and Glenn loves the end result. It’s a perfect combination, and dance is something they can continue to enjoy together.
Not only does dance get couples moving together, but also it allows them to enjoy learning together without being competitive or critical. Couples often learn to laugh at their mistakes as they explore the process of learning a new dance. They are meeting the physical challenge together as well as the mental challenge it takes to dance and learn new steps.
Dancing can help create a respect for each other while the work is being done. They also realize some of those steps are not as easy as they look and understand they are both working hard to learn them.
When couples are dancing, they are not distracted by problems at home or work and the time alone with each other allows new conversations. Dance can elevate the mood by raising endorphin levels which can really help with stress.
Plus, dressing up to dance just adds to the fun!
Sandro Virag is a partner and instructor at Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Hilton Head, located in Bluffton at Seaquins Ballroom. www.fredastairehiltonhead.com
