With the upcoming wedding, I started seeing Emily more. Of course we’d have to plan on her Sundays off from work since she worked night shifts. That would mean Saturday night she’d work and come home Sundays approximately at 6 am and she’d go on her routine of maintaining a sleep pattern. 

I had been taking Latin dance classes and at times our instructor would have events on a Saturday. Unescorted, I would attend alone without a dance partner. Since those invited were all students of the same instructor, dancing with unescorted ladies was encouraged. And the instructor herself, who was engaged, would also ask the gentlemen to dance to see how much they’ve learned from her class. Overall it was fun I suppose. It would be better if I had a partner but sometimes that’s just how it is. 

I only went to one such outing, and even then I would call Emily. By 10pm Saturday night the event would be over and I would call Emily and we talked how about how it went. She had expressed an interest. I assured her it would be fun if we ever took a class together, or perhaps I could teach her also once I learned it enough to teach. I was learning Merengue and Bachata. Once I felt comfortable I would upgrade to salsa. But it takes time and plenty of dancing. And I was dancing but one day a week with my instructor. So for now, salsa would still be something I eat with chips instead of a dance.

Emily and I were meeting regularly on Sundays. I was asking her out and enjoying her company. We were starting now to practice dancing ourselves. Country and western type of dancing. Fortunately, I’m a decent 2-stepper. Having grown up in the rural country of West Texas dancing 2-step was pretty common. Emily wanted to learn. I wanted to teach her. 

Our Sunday dates were dinner and then out to a park. Cell phone in my pocket, I would find a country song with a nice steady beat. George Strait would never disappoint. 

It gave me a chance to hold Emily in my arms. I would never tire of that. 

So there we were at a park in the suburbs during the springtime. Bottle of wine for her. Drinking from a styrofoam cup. Music in my pocket. A good woman in my arms. George Strait music playing. What more can a man ask?

“As I hold you close tonight……hear what I say
There’s no doubt, it’s love alright… ‘Cause I’ve never felt this way
An angel’s what you are…..and now I see
You’re not just someone else…..you’re something special to me

Every man has a dream ……and you made mine come true
How it happened….. I don’t know or care
I’m just happy I found you
Wrapped in the arms of love ……is where I’ll be
For all the world to see….. you’re something special to me”