Well, my dear friends, it is over. I, Jennifer Harrison, have completed my first and last dance routine. I'm writing this 24 hours later and I still am having trouble breathing. Let me give you a glimpse into what the beginning and ending of my first goal has been like.
In the beginning I went in once a week for a 2 hour lesson. I loved it. I loved the choreography. It was challenging to remember but since it was something I had never done before I was OK. I knew it would take me a while.
Third week: I am now going 2 times a week, 2 hours at a time. I am getting aggravated because I feel (A). I should know the moves by now and (B). It is consuming my every thought and conversation.
Fourth week: I got over myself and tried to have fun. Nailed it. Looked and felt great about it. At this point I thought they may ask me to be on "Dancing with the Stars" (not really)...well maybe just a little!
Fifth week: This was it. I had to get through this week and I would be home free. Some personal stuff came up that made me have to cancel my last practice before the big day but I still thought I would be OK. I had two dresses that to pick up from the alteration lady but they weren't done. And this gets me to the big day.
Monday, December 22, 2008:
Everything has been great. My hair and makeup look just like I wanted (always a good sign). My dresses were good-to-go so I head to the country club. I ask which dance is first. It is the cha cha. I go to the floor with my teacher and I can't feel my body. I can't remember what to do. I hear the music but I think my blood pressure was at stroke level.
My body does move but it all feels like it is in slow motion. I can't see my teacher's face. I finally finished the dance and thought I was going to die. My family and friends said I did great but they wouldn't know if I was doing the cha cha or the electric slide.
There is still another dance. OMG! I have to change and get ready for my foxtrot. I begged Chris to practice out in the hall and he did. He also suggested I go to the bar but at this point my nerves were beyond help. I go to the floor. I have no idea what song my routine was to. I am sure it was pretty. I do much better. Not great but I could live with it.
I leave to go home and realize I have a migraine from the stress. I went to bed with false eyelashes and all. What I felt would never get here went by like a blink of the eye and not quite like I imagined.
So why you ask will this be my last routine. Just as 2004's Music City Marathon will be my last marathon this too has been checked off the bucket list. I have loved learning the art of ballroom dancing. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. The grace and elegance of it all is an art in itself. The disciplines these dancers have are amazing. I can not say enough about how much I respect it and how it has forever changed my life. I am not stopping. I have too much fun. I am just not going to compete anytime in the near future. I challenged myself. I finished the goal I set out to do. I could have done better. I wish I would have been more relaxed but at the end of it all I am proud of myself because several times I wanted to quit but didn't. I have great pictures and life experiences I will take with me forever. Now...the Triathlon!
— Jennifer
This is my best friend Kellye, my instructor Chris, and me in my fox trot dress. My best friend's husband was killed a couple of years ago and that is why she started dancing…I soon joined her. We had the best time going through the healing process together.
Print | posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:52 AM