We bonded over exercise in grad school. Now we were empty nesters who needed to get back into shape. Who knew dancing was the answer?269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtTWr8Z4h8
By Edwidge Crevecoeur-Bryant, St. Augustine, Florida269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFhw3Pa9iQ
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Friday afternoon. The YMCA was full. At 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0djpCP0KG
8, I felt like I was 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AfLqO5BEJ
,269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sLBN9TKeT
places in a sea of 20-year workouts. I had no intention of joining them. I couldn't remember the last time I exercised! I was only here to cancel my younger son's 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwYpTBVQyu
membership. "He's going to college next month, so he won't be there," I told the coach at the front desk. "Let me get you the papers," he said. I wasn't sure I was ready for my husband Thomas, and I should have an empty nest. After 25 years of marriage, we still adored each other, but our lives had revolved around our two sons for so long that the sparks that flew between us were now just embers. Besides, when we weren't working—I was a university professor, Thomas was the director of research at the National Department of Health—we were helping 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpbE5HoCBB
my mother, who was recovering from a stroke, or visiting Thomas' father. at a veterans care center with his mother. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UauwxHEyI
To be honest, we could have done with some tension. Like the exercise we were committed to when we met in high school. I ran track in high school, Thomas 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsJgGRiMTy
played basketball, and our dates usually involved moving around together. Long walks. cycling dancing We could always rock the dance floor, get all the parties started. Even after we got married and our sons came along, Thomas and I took time to stay in shape together. Then, two years ago, Thomas tore his knee playing basketball. From then on we both did exercise quietly ...too easily. We didn't like fast food (I'm vegetarian, , and Thomas doesn't eat red meat), but we ate big portions or went to an all-you-can-eat brunch after church. And sweets! After a long week, we sank into sofa on Friday night - and a puddle of ice cream. No wonder, 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm57gQ8b9k
, we were both starting to look like potatoes. Cholesterol increased and I needed medicine. Thomas had high blood pressure . I knew we had to change, but 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxGODPIQlM
how?269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYCCLI9e34
Y's graph caught my eye. Zumba at 6:00 pm, 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEvqwAzwX0
Zumba at 8:00 pm, said. "What is Zumba?" I asked the coach when he came back with the forms. "It's an energetic dance and fitness class," she said. “It's funny. Look!" She pointed to class , where a dozen women were doing samba together. I've been moving like this since , I thought. "Beginner Zumba is tomorrow afternoon," she said. "You should come. ." "I'll think about it," I said. I did, all the way home. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2lyjStmEd
"When I was at the Y, I saw this thing called Zumba," I told Thomas. "It's a mix of dance and cardio. Tomorrow is class . Do you want to come with me?" "Zumba? Isn't that for women?" The class I watched was all female, but I wasn't going to tell him that. "Remember how much fun we had dancing at the wedding?" Thomas shrugged. "The gym is not my thing," he said. “Don't worry about me, dear. Got it." He had cans of salted peanuts. He lifted the top. end of conversation. clear The next day I went to Zumba beginner class by myself, almost as if a little voice whispered that I would regret it if I didn't. "Are you ready for Zumba?" shouted the director over , catchy Latin beats. "Five, six, hands up and hit!" I imitated his movements. My knees cracked. My calves were on fire. I was breathing hard. But after the first song I was hooked. Our empty nests, our health, our parents — all myworries disappeared in the running of Zumba energy. It was like a door to a whole new part of my life. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgLZZuHYAW
Zumba gave me something to focus on after the boys went to college. I lost 10 kilos in a month. I showed up to the Thomas store one Saturday night. Maybe I can get her to do Zumba with me. "You look great," he said. "But it's not for me." 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6x7uxnelB
Then the next step came to me: the prayer. All my prayers were for our sons and parents. Somehow I didn't pray for us. Lord, you gave me chances to be healthy, to feel great. I also want it for Thomas. I want us to grow old together. Help me 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5A47YlDoj
get him back up and running. Eight months later I was at Zumba, totally in the zone 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn9ARE4rMU
. As I kicked my left foot, I noticed a pair of men's dress shoes by the door. They looked familiar. I was looking for . I know those khakis, I thought. And this oxford shirt. Thomas was in work clothes. Has something happened to one of our parents? I relaxed when I saw him hit feet in the beat. Why was he here?269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NHdeMXtJJ
"Join us!" called the director. Thomas shook his head. I could feel his eyes on me. Our eyes met. He slowly smiled at me. I smiled back, my cheeks flushed. Fifteen 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4eE4SOX2u
minutes later, he waved and left. "I wish my husband would look at me like that," one of the women told me. "It was good to see you," I said later to Thomas. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFJ9YNUR63
"I just wanted to see what Zumba was all about," he said nonchalantly. I didn't push. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHU7PhUV0i
Thomas showed up to my next class. Also the next . Every time looked from the side. I have to admit, his adoring look made me add more spark to my move. Sometimes I felt like I was dancing just for him. Class after that I looked at the door. No. Thomas. The music started and my was tapped on the shoulder. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i0VhUHVR8
Thomas... in tracksuits! I wrapped my arms around him. Everyone applauded. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVL2h5mII1
From all this watching, Thomas felt a routine. He didn't miss a single step and showed his silky smooth movements. The women were impressed. Me first of all. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7yuXUyHWA
I played quietly at home. I didn't want to scare him. "Thanks for coming tonight," I said. "Did you have fun?" 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI64skaFc9
"I did," he admitted. - Sweating helped get rid of my stress. I feel good!" 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ028nFyEuYW
"What was I trying to tell you?" I said laughing. 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnnLY01mFa
"There's something else," he said. "I like the way you move. You are really good.” 269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen4YTCoYSE
This time, when our eyes met, sparks flew. And they have been flying among us ever since. We are so excited about Zumba now that we are teaching classes together. I lost 0 pounds and Thomas lost 55. I no longer need my cholesterol medicine. We take care of our parents better now than we take care of ourselves. Fate didn't just make us move, it made us move closer to each other. Why else would every night feel like , dates?269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitR7UZkjrJ
