Come follow follow follow

In some photo album buried in my parents attic, there are memories of learning to dance with B. They're a lil'bit embarassing to look at. More fun is playing some music and tapping my feet.

Tri-ple step. Tri-ple step. Back Step.
Over kick. Back-side-step. Brush-step, brush-step. Front-and-back-and-front-and-back. Brush-step, brush-step. Kick step. Back Step.
Tri-ple step...

It was always a fight to find a dance partner. Not a violent one. Just that there were more girls than guys. You rotate and all in the camp lessons, but who are you going to dance with? And when all the guys are taken, do you stand on the side, dance by yourself, of grab a girlfriend for the floor?

~~~

When I took dance lessons again in college, I realized I was back-leading too much. In an effort to be a good follow, I stopped trying to learn the lead. I figured if I didn't know it, I wouldn't try to do it. Other women learning to lead is great. More power to them. But not me. I've got to focus on being a follow.

It's seemed to work so far.

~~~

So I've started swing dancing again. As usual there's a gender balance issue. Only now there's usually more guys. I see guys dancing together, which feels like it's breaking a social taboo.

I kind of love it.

Here's the funny part though. Since the guys are learning to follow, I'm now getting requests to lead. From guys who I've danced with before. Who I like dancing with.

So it's time. Get over my fear. I'm a better follow now than I was first year of college. If I keep telling myself that, maybe, I can get over my fear and learn to lead