Save the Last Dance for Me
Finding true love on Valentine’s Day?
Only in fairy tales.
Except for that one year…. during the last dance ….when his witty comeback tickled my funny bone….
I met my husband in 1987 on Valentine’s Day. No, not love at first sight, but a light-hearted beginning with just enough spice to pique our mutual interest.
It was the typical fundraiser….stately mansion, tuxedos & fancy dresses, music, gambling, gourmet food and champagne…
Except this fundraiser had a unique twist. Tickets were sold only to women. Each woman anonymously invited 5 men.
So men showed up, unattached and full of curiosity. Women showed up, knowing they’d be surrounded by handsomely dressed single men. LOTS OF ‘EM !
The atmosphere was electric and upbeat and oh-so-comfortable. Not at all like the dreaded singles bar.
I danced, gambled, mingled and occasionally glimpsed a certain man in the crowd smiling at me. The kind of smile that says, “I know something you don’t.”
Toward the end of the evening, I was dancing with a partner when a woman approached me. She discreetly handed me a man’s business card with some writing on the back. I glanced quickly. It read, “Please call me. Let’s go skiing.” I finished the dance, thanked my partner, and turned to walk into the crowd.
Waiting for me was the man with The Smile. He took my hand and led me back to the dance floor. A slow dance had begun and our conversation – each of us grinning madly – went something like this:
“I don’t ski.”
“Why not?”
“I’m pretty busy at work.”
“Do you like movies?”
“No, I’m pretty busy at work.”
“What about dinner some evening?”
“No, I’m pretty busy at work.”
(Aside: I WAS very busy at work. I was also very happily single with plenty of friends and activities. I hadn’t come to the party to find a man; I had come to dance!)
“Please, I’d like to take you out. Is that possible?”
“No, I’m sorry. I work from 6am until 6pm, then I work out, then I go home and crash. I’m in bed by 10 every night.”
Suddenly he stopped dancing, placed his hands on my shoulders, bent down to look me squarely in the eye, and said,
“Don’t worry. I WILL have you in bed by 10.”
bemuzin 