Greetings Blogworld… from the great and beautiful city of Atlanta.
I just had the most surreal moment. I was standing in a coffee shop a few minutes ago (no big surprise) when I heard the song “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” by Shenandoah and Alison Krauss. Have you heard it? I kid you not, I was teleported back to my 8th grade dance. I had forgotten how awkward yet glorious that historical moment was. Awkward because I was still sporting my braces but glorious because a person’s first big school dance is a rite of passage. Good or bad, it remains a milestone. I mean, I spent a month in a tanning salon preparing for that dance! I still remember exactly what formal dress I was wearing and even what my corsage smelled like. My date and I were attempting to two-step to this very passionate country tune. We were very much wrapped up into the song, so much so that I think I may have even put my head on his shoulder. Who doesn’t get caught up in the moment under a disco ball? You laugh…but this was a big move for an innocent thirteen-year-old girl with very well known parents. In between our very emotional embraces I would glance to make sure my homeroom teacher wasn’t looking because I knew darn well she was going to tell my Mom. Total downside of having your homeroom teacher doing your mother’s Bible studies. Okay, I digress, but today as I listened to the lyrics now from the perspective of an adult, I about died. Please take a minute to read the first two verses of this song:
Thousand miles
Of lonesome highway
Drinking gallons of coffee in a little cafe
Brought me here, and it’s so good to find there’s someone who’s got
The same story as mine
Just look at us, we’re a couple hard cases
So how’d we end up where we are?
Somewhere in the vicinity of the heart
I feel somethin hittin me awful hard
I don’t know where it’s gonna lead
I just know it starts
Somewhere in the vicinity of the heart
When I heard these lyrics again today I nearly went into hysterics. To think that a couple of suburban kids who had never so much as kissed were honestly identifying with these lines is completely absurd. But there we were. We were identifying, alright. Just a couple of hard cases looking for someone else with a similar tumultuous relational past.
Okay, so it’s your turn- I want to know what takes you back to the past? What was your best or funniest memory at a middle school or high school dance? To what songs did you dance?
Led Zepplin – Stairway to Heaven takes me back to highschool.
I recently picked up my son from his Grade 8 grad and we parents were allowed in for the last dance…those poor kids! Watching my sweet boy dancing with a girl to Want to Make a Memory by Bon Jovi forever engraved a memory in my mind. I don’t think he could have cared less, but boy did Mom tear up!
Melissa,
I LOVE Alison Krauss, she is one of my favorites…I’ve always loved her music, but I gained a new appreciation after watching “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” I laugh at that one like you laugh at “Elf.” Although, I laugh hard at “Elf” too.
I can’t say that I have any great memories of dances. I was a bad girl and usually trying to find a way to get out of there and find some trouble.
My parents reared me on Southern and Classic Rock, so I never got into the 80’s stuff. My parents did give me and my brother the love of driving around and just stopping at gas stations, hiking, ramp digging, you know, West Virginia stuff. We listened to everything you can imagine, Southern and Classic Rock.
It’s funny I was in downtown Houston today and saw a Fleetwood Mac concert sign, now that brought back memories. I do have a lot of Alison Krauss on my iPod and one by Fleetwood Mac “Landslide” live version. I wanted to put the entire live CD on there, but I trashed it one time when I was trying to get rid of all of my pre-Christian CD’s that I thought had any hint of not glorifying God. My flesh wanted to keep it b/c it was one of my faves. As I get closer to Him, I hope that I can distinguish b/t what is okay and what’s not. My son keeps us all in line. He won’t hear anything but Christian music in the jeep, even if it’s innocent. That child is black and white. Okay, another story for another day.
P.S. I’m sending you one of our family cookbooks (to LPM) when my aunt Lisa gets finished with them…from one cooker to another!
P.S.S. I told Amanda on her baby blog that I loved her name song “Amanda” by Boston. I want you to know that I do love the Allman Brothers Band and I love your song by them too. I wasn’t too crazy about my Beach Boys song growing-up. My dad would sing it to me and I would get so mad, I would try to break my single record in half and that poor, scratched to pieces thing is still in one piece. I was meaner than a rattlesnake. Still can be, if I don’t watch it. By the grace of God….
Love ya’
Barbara Shrewsbury
Katy-Texas
Megan in Atascocita,
I LOVE the Cha-Cha slide. We get down to it all the time at our house. I did not hear it until I was 27 at my children’s school. We all danced to it every week there.
to the left…stomp stomp
Barbara Katy, TX
kdear, I loved “Stone in Love” too. Oh and one exception to my eighties thing (I did like a few)…two words, Billy Ocean. Love him. Okay, I’m not posting any more today. I love music too much to be postin’ on this blog today. Unlike the rest of the siestas, I don’t have enough self-control to stop, I’m totally rude.
Barbara Katy, TX (I’m owning my rudeness today)
I have really enjoyed reading all of the posts. What fun! I am much older than most of you. I was a teenager in the 60’s. I loved all of the Elvis songs!! I thought he was just the best looking guy alive! I went to lots of dances but don’t really associate any song with them. I remember a song “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want to”, “Oh Donna” was another one. Paul Anka, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Darin were all popular in my teens. Someone earlier mentioned Brut cologne, my husband wore that when we were dating and I loved it! Isn’t it something how songs and smells can take you right back to long ago memories! Thanks for this post, lots of fun!
The Journey Continues ~
Oh Melissa and the Siesta’s,
I am on the floor with some of the stories.
The songs everyone shared has brought back so many memories to us!!
Beth, you have to help us out here and share a story. You mentioned that you hit the wrong key ~
We want a DO OVER.
Melissa, Amanda, Beth…
Music ~ Memories ~
That is always interesting to me. songs, smells, ????
How come we can go back to that moment in history by a song, smell,etc.. ????
anyone ?????
It seemed that my dance memories were the most pathetic and hearing those songs just brings the memory back to play. Ugghhh..
crazy for you..by Madonna. AAHhh.
Love’s Baby Soft…Oh my gosh…I can so REMEMBER that…how crazy is that? Any of you all remember being in love with Andy Gibbs? I used to kiss his albumn cover…now how completely LAME is that!!!
For my 13th birthday party my parents rented out a local senior citizen center (great place for a party! ha!). We also hired a DJ for my first boy/girl dance party. Besides the fact that my dad made me put “No Gifts Please” on the invitation (he seemed to think I had everything I needed and shouldn’t just have a party to see how many gifts I could get) everything was going great. My 7th grade boyfriend was there which was just the icing on the cake!
I remember all of us dancing in the middle of the floor (I was just getting confident enough to finally bust a move or two), when I went down (don’t worry it wasn’t as risque as it sounds!) and heard a huge rip! All I knew to do was jump up, grab my rear, and run to the bathroom. Because I said nothing, I left all sorts of things up to the imagination as to what really happened! Once I was in the bathroom (in tears) all I could do was cry “Please go and get my mom” as I was sitting on the nasty bathroom floor.
Of course my mom comes in and figures out that my pants had ripped from the front to the back and then burst out in uncontrollable laughter (Thanks mom!).
Needless to say, everyone at the party knew what had happened before I even made it out of the bathroom.
Now it makes for a great story, but at the time it was scarring for a seventh grade girl trying to find her place in the world 🙂 Luckily I had on a cardigan to tie around my waist.
P.S. I have never bought/will never buy another pair of American Eagle jeans again!
“Groovy Kind of Love” by Phil Collins. The boy tried to kiss me (very awkwardly I might add) and I just got grossed out. That song was also playing in the dentist’s office when I got my wisdom teeth removed. Good times… NOT!!
I love to watch the show Psych because of of the weird 80’s references to pop culture and music. It’s hilarious and brings up a lot of funny memories like this.
Does anybody remember that “slow jam” song “All cried out”?? I think somebody like Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam sang it. I felt ev-a-ry single emotion of that song to my marrow……and had never had a boyfriend yet. (I’m 37 so that was around my 8th/9th grade time capsule. The ’80s had MANY cheesy-hysterical songs to choose from.)
“I’ve Been Thinking About You” by London Beat, oh yea! That’s what I’m talking about. Although I had a “boyfriend” I’m pretty sure I’m the only one us who thought we had a song. At our Jr High “Fun Nights” (lame dance/open gym) he wouldn’t even talk to me! Ah, those were the days!
Oh yeah, I borrowed a fancy dress from my brother’s girlfriend. It was also low cut. Mom sewed the the lace, too. However, before the dance a bunch of us went out to a restaurant. I had something or other with rice. Well, the rice somehow decided it liked my lace better than my mouth. No one saw it fall down inside or me nonchalantly jiggle it out of sight, but baby I danced the night away with a bra full of Uncle Ben’s!
Many songs I hear take me back to high school. Now that I am older and saved:) I am absolutely shocked at the underlying messages of the songs, or maybe they weren’t underlying I was just oblivious. I graduated in 1995 so this may give you an idea of the music I was listening to! I too have memories of Brian Adams, Everything I do, I do it for you and my “boyfriend” at the time singing it to me…so funny! Some other “great” songs that we would dance to as a group were, “Rump Shaker,” along with other classy hits like “Whoomp There It Is” and other lovely songs from Boyz II Men, Prince, Janet Jackson….
Praise the Lord for memories and new beginnings in Him!!
Oh Hon-nee,
The late 60’s ushered in so much music, this little box couldn’t hold the tunes that russle around the resources of my heart. It was a pivotal time in our world and in my life. Music was my hotline to the soul, along with other things I won’t mention . . . Praise God, He redeems everything, hearts! music! fuzzy brains!!
Blessings on your memories!
Mare
First things first speaking of dances – my precious 10 year old son’s first “dance” will be next weekend. The Valentine Dance is obviously a huge deal and they are only in the fourth grade for crying out loud! My husband went to pick him up from school today and he was crying. He is normally the rough em tough em kind of boy who only crys when something is really wrong. Bream (my son and yes his name is Bream like the fish) asked a girl to the valentine dance today and she said she was sorry but she was already going with someone else. My heart was breaking for him! God knew I didn’t need to pick him up today because i would’ve embarrassed him BIG TIME by booo hoooing right there in the middle of the school hall with him!
Sorry I guess i just had to get that off my chest!
What takes me back? Music certainly does and smells do too.
Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac always takes me back to riding in my Daddy’s pickup truck with the windows rolled down on a summer day and me sittin’ right next to him proud as anything singing at the top of my lungs with my sister sitting by the door her arm hanging out the window waving her arm with the wind…
I was dancing in my heart to that song “His Song” by Roberta Flack in the early 70’s, over a boy at school in the choir!
“I heard he sang a good song
I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him and listen for awhile
And there he was this young boy
A stranger to my eyes…
Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly
With his song…”
When I hear the song lyrics now I just laugh because what they were talking about and what I was thinking were 2 different things altogether! What kind of life did I think I had at the ripe old age of 13 that he could sing about?
Anything by the Beach Boys — after all, I am a California girl! 🙂
Blessings,
Gretchen in Thousand Oaks, CA
What a fun thing to think about~
Wow, I had a boyfriend named Greg [who was 6 ft, 8 inches tall, mind you] for 6 years, on and off again in my later years in college and for a year or so afterwards. And, it was a long distance relationship that grew out of another friend that I knew from college, so we only saw one another on weekends, for the most part. And, there was this secular song that must have been in the Top 20 Hits or something, because it played all the time back then. It was called something like “I Need You Now”, but I’m not sure which group sang it, and every time it came on, I thought of this guy and how much I “loved him”. And, I do think that he was truly the first guy that I have ever loved, outside of my family.
And, even though I was not an official “born again Christian” at the time, the Lord and I made a “pact” together when I was in high school to “wait until I get married” before I do/did certain things [I’m sure you can figure out what I mean], and, even stranger yet, it still baffles my doctors when I have to get a Pap test, because apparently there is some way that a doctor doing one of those tests can tell if you are a “virg** or not.
Anyhow, the Lord caused that 1st relationship to end right after Thanksgiving 1992, for seemingly no reason whatsoever. However, I think that this guy had seen a bit too much from his brother’s horrible marriage and subsequent divorce that he was afraid of making any commitments. And, he knew that I would not give up my promise to God, either. So, I guess I may not know what happened exactly until I get to Heaven.
Unfortunately, even though I was a “regular Sunday church go-er”, and truly enjoyed going there, [and knew “all ABOUT” Jesus and God, and the Holy Spirit, I know now that I did not have a saving relationship with Jesus at that point in time]. But, after this particular relationship broke up, it nearly tore me into pieces.
And, slowly, but surely, I unknowingly had put up layers of a wall up around my heart, when it came to “loving anyone deeply” ever again.
BUT GOD … caused me to move to Houston, Texas, and had a teacher colleague of mine beg me to simply “try out the Believing God Bible study online”, and I got “hooked” on much higher and more important things, like God’s Word. And, 2.5 in-depth Bible studies and 6 months later, one day while I was working on my Bible study homework, I cried out for this “love that passes all understanding” … And, Father God “crashed through” that thick wall that was around my heart, and I was not only able to “feel deeply once again”; God’s Love came pouring through those walls, just like a torrential rainstorm in Houston, TX. And, it felt so warm and wonderful. =)
After that happened, I felt as if I was finally able to begin to ask Father God what was missing in my life. And, He is SO faithful!
I heard His still small voice tell me that I needed to find out what all these people [at Bible study and on Christian radio in Houston] were talking about when they used words like “saved”, “born again”, “New Life Wednesday” [on that particular radio station each month], etc.
And, after attending a church service at Beth Moore’s church one Sunday, it was less than 28 hours later that the Lord helped me find someone special from that church to answer my questions, and who was able to lead me to accepting Christ Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior!
So, I still call this a “miracle” in my own personal life.
So, don’t give up on your loved ones or friends accepting Christ, because I WAS one of those “hard cases to crack”. Pray for them, love on them !
Personally, I just needed a lot of different people to “plant godly seeds” into my life, and one very loving, yet strong-willed friend named Shirley F., to convince me to “try out Bible study” … And, once I did so, God broke through my hurts, and bandaged them up, but I had to allow Him to “open myself to Him as my Great Physician” before that could happen, and yes, it hurt [emotionally and sometimes even physically], but I am SO GLAD that I did !!!
And, that event happened in April 2003, at the age of 35 … And, I am, and will be forever grateful to God for everything that He did to “get me to that point” … And, it wasn’t like my life was terribly awful or anything at that time, either, yet, looking backwards, I can see certain things that God Himself did to make it happen.
And, I walk with Jesus, baby step by baby step, every day now.
And, like last year at this time, I know that He was literally holding me, as my family and I dealt with my Dad’s Leukemia, and passing into Heaven last March 24, 2008. And, I know that I know that Jesus is REAL because I did not think that I could “live” through that kind of trauma in my life. I loved, and still do love my dear Daddy so much, but I know that I will meet up with him again someday in Heaven, and we will be able to celebrate together once again…
And, like me, we all simply need to invite Jesus in … so He can help us …
In Christ’s Everlasting Love,
Jennifer O.
Janesville, WI
First high school prom, the only song that comes to mind is “Listen to the Music” by the Doobie Brothers. Had the best time ever at a prom that year but the guy I was dating ended up being gay in later years. Hope it wasn’t my fault.
Color my World by Chicago or Kenny Rogers balads…takes me back to dancing in a little circle hugging David my 9th grade boyfriend…thankfully we behaved ourselves because he remained 1 of my best friends and became a dear, dear friend of my husband’s. He died at 37 of bone and pancreatic cancer 9 yrs ago leaving 2 precious children.
I hesistate to even put my name on this one! I was on the mission field during my middle school years. No school dances to speak of. However, I can report that Boy George and Culture Club were very popular and I just loved them! Lionel Richie was another favorite. I have to admit that even today I, on occassion, crank up a little Karma Chameleon and I’ll Tumble 4 Ya while cleaning house! That’s something I should just keep to myself, isn’t it? =)
I spent 5 hours/day in a ballet studio after school, so all my favorite “songs” are classical. My favorite memory dancing in high school was on “50s Day” (during Homecoming week) at lunch with the football coach, jitterbugging on the quad. Boy, did we tear it up! Almost the entire student body stopped eating and ran over to watch us. Since I was a dancer already and could effortlessly follow a partner’s lead (and he knew what he was doing), we put on quite a spontaneous show. Unfortunately, I think the coach intimidated all the guys. I mean, who can follow that???
"You're the Inspriation" by Chicago. My HS boyfriend played it for me on the piano of the church…can still remember that day! Oh, and I'm laughing at the comment about smells. My daughter (age 9) wanted some "perfume" for Christmas so I was looking around Walmart for a kid smell when I stumpled upon Love Baby Soft. Christmas morning, my sister & I were laughing about the memories the smell stirred!
OH! I love that song, Melissa. I was a bit older than 13 when it was making the airwaves. More like mid 20s with three kids, a divorce and a desperate Honky Tonk Problem. But alas… My skeletons are coming out.
Okay… So I don’t get around to listening much to “oldies” because I’m almost always plugged into Alternative Christian Rock (for hubs and the kiddoes) or some very good Christian Talk Radio. However, occasionally my girls will flip it over to the country station where my heart used to sing.
There is a song by Boy Howdy (I’m going to look it up on Rhapsody) that always takes me back to my early divorce days. “She’d Give Anything”
The chorus was my bleeding heart:
“She’d give anything and everything
To fall in love,
Just this one time
She’d like to find
What she’s been dreaming of
She could find someone to hold her
But that wouldn’t be enough
‘Cause she’d give anything to
fall in love.”
I lived out of the words to that song, I mean really… as a young, broken down, pit-dwelling adult I was still dreaming like Cinderella every night I could in a honky tonk. I did give anything and everything to fall in love… But, thank God He has been redeeming that these last 8 years and I no longer feel that inner vow at work in my life.
Crazy what happens.
****Maybe we can start a new post about how much our Siestas mean to us….
Sometimes I get an email from a Siesta I have never met who read one of my posts. Friendships have started because of this blog.
Thank you and God bless you!!!****
My sister sent me the note below. If you want to use it, please feel free!
Love you all!
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
Drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As
They talked about life, about marriage, about the
Responsibilities of life and the obligations of
Adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
Glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
Upon her daughter.
‘Don’t forget your Sisters,’ she advised, swirling
The tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. ‘They’ll
Be more important as you get older. No matter how
Much you love your husband, no matter how much you
Love the children you may have, you are still going
To need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now
And then; do things with them.’
‘Remember that ‘Sisters’ means ALL the women…
Your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
Women relatives too. ‘You’ll need other women. Women
Always do.’
What a funny piece of advice!’ the young woman
Thought. Haven’t I just gotten married?
Haven’t I just joined the couple-world? I’m now a
Married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely
My husband and the family we may start will be all I
Need to make my life worthwhile!’
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
With her Sisters and made more women friends each
Year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,
She gradually came to understand that her Mom really
Knew what she was talking about. As time and nature
Work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
Here is what I’ve learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don’t do what they’re supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT………
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
Many miles are
Between you. A girl friend is never farther away
Than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
Have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
Will be on the valley’s rim, cheering you on,
Praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
Your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
Valley’s’ end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
Beside you…Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
Daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
Family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn’t be the same without women, and
Neither would I. When we began this adventure called
Siestahood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
Sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
Would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
okay, well in 6th grade we had a dance and i of course had to meet my date at the school. when it got time to leave and i saw my parents i yelled back “thanks for the croissant!” he said “it’s not a crossant. it’s a corsage!” as a sixth grader on her first “date” that was pretty embarrassing! 🙂 kimberly, alabama
Oh my word, what memories are rising to the top of my mind! Not a formal, but a dance at the end of a student council camp in the summer for leaders nationwide….and the song “Sailing” by Christopher Cross. I can still smell the suntan lotion and “camp smell”…in a good way! Amazing times and the birth of friendships that still exist.
Amazed by Lonestar
junior year fall homecoming!
Me and You by Kenny Chesney
at my cousins wedding with my future husband
What a fun post! I don’t rememember too many songs from my HS dances but I do remember singing along with my “friends” to Garth Brooks song, “Friends in Low Places”. I was in FFA in HS and had to serve at many, many dinners so it seemed that one of the guys always had his big Ford truck blaring Garth Brooks during our break between serving and cleaning up!
I have to add a comment also about dirty dancing…it was a cult in the 80’s! My cousin and I watched that and Grease 2 everyday after school! I can still quote every line in both movies (little side note to prove how powerful memory is!)
Stairway to Heaven & Taking Care of Business…that seems like a million years ago…so funny to remember the dress, corsage, tanning all week, doing hair, nails, make-up & getting dressed all day!!! 🙂
I remember going out to eat with my boyfriend when I graduated from high school. We ate at the restaurant where he worked. The kitchen closed too soon for us to order dessert.
Hmmm… Songs that transports me back to my teenage/college years…
Is there anyone out there who grew up in my generation who doesn’t remember hearing the song “867-5309-Jenny, I got your number”? And, of course, not one person would give me a break about that song, because my nickname was always Jenny before 10th grade, which is when we went up to the High School level … But, it became more funny than annoying after a little while …
However, back then, I was more into roller skating than I was dances or boys, and un-doubtedly, this song [867-5309-Jenny] played at the roller skating rink almost every time I went there on a Saturday afternoon.
The night of my Junior Prom was the same day/night of my sister’s wedding [the first of my 3 sisters to get married, so it was quite a “shin-dig”, but an inexpensive one, at that]. They had this local band named Skyward play at their Wedding Reception, and they sang/played everything from The Locomotion to Fame, Flashdance, and That Good Ole Rock and Roll, etc.
But, the funniest thing I remember from it was that a young couple had come from the Prom at my school, and after being there for just a few dances, they said, “Man, we should’ve skipped that silly ole’ Prom, and just come here. It is much more fun !” It was in 1985, and there must have been at least 300 + people at their reception, most of them being relatives and close friends from both families. But, I even remember seeing my grandma out there on the dance floor !
But, by the time I got into the “boyfriend” thing, I was in college, and had met that tall guy named Greg, and we went to my college’s Homecoming Dance together. And, Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi was huge then, but, (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, was even “hotter”, as it had been remade for the movie “Dirty Dancing” … Now, that really takes me back in time… But, by then, I was also starting to get into listening to Christian music, and Amy Grant was my favorite singer at the time, and “our song” came from her “Lead Me On” album, and it was called “Say Once More [that you love me]”.
Thankfully, though, now I know that I must “hold onto my relationship with Jesus”, as He is the only One who has promised never to leave me, nor forsake me. And, better than that, He is the only One who Always keeps His promises !!!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Southern Wisconsin
Hey Melissa! This isn’t school dance related- but what sends me back into the throws of middle school is NICKELODEON!! When I was in 7th grade, 12 years old, I was on the show Double Dare. 60 students went with me for the taping and my middle school was “represented” on the big screen. 🙂
My kids are now nearly 10,7 and 5. They enjoy a few shows on Nickelodeon. Every time they ask to turn on the TV to that station I am instantly transported back to the “physical challenges” and, well, the Double Dares!!!
I just remembered a song which goes like this– “don’t rock the boat baby, don’t tip the boat over”. It’s a great song. While I was dating a guy in college, I considered this to be “our song”.
I remember my first dance ever. It wasn’t a formal, but it was a very big occasion for me. I was really shy all the way through my sophomore year in high school. My first dance was in 8th grade. I went to a catholic middle school and we were invited to a catholic high school dance. I was so nervous, but so excited because I loved to dance, but never did in front of anyone but my family.
Anyway…I will never forgot the song, “I Can’t Wait” by Nu Shooz. I had not gotten out an danced at all because I was afraid I’d be made fun of. But, this song came on and I just couldn’t stand there anymore. It had such a good beat to it, it was a great dance song. So, I went out there and was just kind of dancing in my own little world, when all of the sudden people were coming up to me asking me how I was dancing like that and could I teach them.
I was like, what…for real…you want me to show YOU! It was one of the best feelings ever. To do something, even though I was terrified, but then to find I didn’t need to be scared.
That taught me a valuable life lesson. Just do it afraid! I’m still very self conscious and get scared to do things a lot, but I pray, and I do it afraid. I usually find that it’s definitely worth it and there’s no reason to be so scared!!
This is SO FUNNY!
Every weekend at the skating rink they would close the night with a “couples skate” and it would always be Reunited by Peaches and Herb!
In high school — The Jacksons’ Off the Wall and The Commodores – Brick House!
The theme to my Junior year Jr – Sr Dance was “Feels So Right” by Alabama. We all wore these crazy “hoop” dresses like we were Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. We went out to eat in them before the dance. When we had to go to the bathroom — our friends would have to come in and help hold the hoop over our heads. It was hysterical!
who would have thought that my Junior Prom date–my best guy friend at the time, and that was it–would have ended up being my husband one day? (and incidentally the first person to share the Gospel with me!) we didn’t date until we were well out of college and into careers! God was totally working behind the scenes there!
Okay, I may be dating myself but here goes….
The song that just sorta drifted back into my memory was one from the band "Meatloaf" verse goes something like this:
"I gotta know right now do you love me, will you love me forever, do you need me will you never leave me, will you make me so happy for the rest of my life, will you take me away will you make me your wife?? I gotta know right know do you love me? Will you love me forever?
"Well, let me sleep on it baby, baby,let me sleep on it, well let me sleep on it I'll give you an answer in the mornin'
I thought I was madly in-love with this boy & if i could just get him to admit his deep love for me during our song we'd be set,it didn't really work like that cuz after the song ended he told me he would never love me forever and if I didn't lighten up, he might not even like me after this.
I'm just sayin' my heart was totally crushed by that dude-poor in-secure girl lookin' for love in all the wrong places and oviously in all the wrong faces too!!! Oh,that one kinda smarts, ouch! I wasn't exactly the prettiest girl at the punch bowl back then if you know what I mean!! But I could clearly take on any one of those boys in a game of hoops and whip their bottoms!!!
Aaaah…..THE POWER OF REDEMPTION!
Thanks for the quick look back down memory lane….it was fun!!
Let us know when your
"PRETTY IN PINK"
Baby neice arrives!! Tell Amanda I'm praying for her!!
With Much Love,
Angela in Redmond, WA
Melissa, hands down my greatest school dance memory is with my husband. I was a junior in H.S. and wanted SO badly for him to go the prom with me. He was a freshman baseball player at the comm. college and my brother’s friend. I fell in love with him the moment I laid eyes on him, no exaggeration. He took me and it was sheer nirvana, to this day one of the most magical moments of my life. We stayed all night and were the last 2 couples on the dance floor. We danced the whole time and as the night ended, the d.j. played, “I’ve Had the time of my life” from Dirty Dancing. He twirled me around and into his arms and there was this still moment….and he kissed me. I am not makin’ this stuff up! Ahhhhh..I still get tingles all over just thinking of it. Pure beautiful holy magic. What a great memory…and the magic has continued for over 20 years through two people who are their own hard cases, difficult times, 2 children, etc. If I could do it all over again, I’d still ask him to the prom, but lucky for me my prom date is forever! 🙂
Oh these are such funny comments. Do you remember Halton Z-14 and Polo? The girls all wore Chloe or White Shoulders perfume? I still remember the HS hallways when I smell those old smells. I remember the first boy/girl party I went to in 7th grade. I couldn’t dance a lick, but all the girls would huddle together and dance while the guys just starred at us in utter amazement as we giggled and tried to look oh so cute. Well, one girl could really dance and she decided to have a “soul train” dance contest. I had never watched Soul Train a day in my life. We had to each take our “turn” and show our best moves! I have no idea what I did, but somehow garnered enough nerve and got out there and shook parts of my body I didn’t know I even had attached to me. Needless to say I was the first one voted off – kind of like Survivor but in the early ’80’s! Too funny…but so much fun. My kids would be embarrassed!
Carol from Carrollton:
Melissa, you are a writer. I am struck by that every time I read one of your blog entries. I think God has really gifted you there. So, please keep writing!
Have a wonderful week,
Carol
Johnny Rivers singing “The Tracks of my Tears” and “The Poor Side of Town”, the Monkees, and of course, early Beatles. Our parents would host a Sat. night dance at an old community center and there would be about 30 of us jr high and early high schoolers that would show up. To this day, those songs transport me back to that time and place — sweet, innocent times!! Life was so simple then 🙂
Wow! REading all these posts brought back such fun memories! At our Southern California High School we had a club called "Canteen" and every Friday night we would "Dance the Night Away". We had 3000 students in our High School and we were the authentic "Baby Boomers Class" the largest ever. Every Friday night we would have at least 300 kids dancing at Canteen. Line Dances were a blast, and we'd do a dance to "Mashed Potato" and then a slow one would come on and everyone would get a starry eyed look about them, so mellow, choose their latest "love" and put both arms around each other to "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" and heads on shoulders and with eyes closed we would dance slow round and round in a circle, swaying and dreaming as we "danced". No "Dancing with Stars" in those days! We loved Frankie Avalon, Darrin, Ricky Nelson, The Beatles, The Righteous Brothers, Elvis and anyone remember "St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"? "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end…." When we go to High School reunions, we still dance to the same songs, and "You've Got That Lovin feeling, oh, oh that lovin feeling….and now it's gone…gone…gone." I pray and I cry for my class…the class of 1965. Do they know the LORD? The true "One and Only One" with whom we can dance into our destiny, forever and ever with Him. "Thanks for the memories….."
Blessings!
Pam Houston><>
Okay Melissa you stinking crack me up!! Alright this is my first comment but anyways my hubby performed to “You’ve gotta Fight for your Right to Party” by the beastie boys (I think) in the 8th grade in the school talent show! This is funny now because well….. he is a Pastor!! Party for Jesus now! (somewhere in Tennessee..our deacons could find out about this, lol)
While visiting my cousin Sue in New York the song “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” by The Animals was popular. My home life was very unhappy and this song became our anthem. I think for her it was just to support me. I just wanted a better life. When I hear the song now it makes me smile at how things turn out. I have a relationship with my heavenly Father, a wonderful husband and family and terrific friends. My life couldn’t be more complete. I’ve come a long way from that young girl who was trying to find her way. And I owe it all to Jesus Christ.
I have so loved reading so many of the comments. Gosh…a lot of those songs in the comments bring back memories too! Thanks for the very fun read!
Lionel Richie was playing in the background…Stuck on You. I spotted the fellow I liked sitting in the bleachers and bounded his way only to trip, tumble, and land with a loud thud. I pulled myself up to a loud applause….I was mortified at 14.
I am older than you guys…mine is Whiter Shade of Pale by Procal Harum. I had my very first kiss to that song in the 7th or 8th grade. His name was Doug….and he had more pimples on his little face than Heinz has varieties….but it was ok…I had a mouth full of metal and front teeth that could have eaten corn from the other side of a picket fence. It was a match made in heaven. He moved after junior high and I never saw him again….he is probably a Calvin Klein model….LOL….my luck!
I Go Crazy by Paul Davis:
Hello girl it’s been awhile
Guess you’ll be glad to know
That I’ve learned how to laugh and smile
Getting over you was slow
They say old lovers can be good friends
But I never thought I’d ever see you again
I GO CRAZY
When I look in your eyes I go crazy
Wow – that and the smell of Wind Song perfume and the song remembers when!!!! I’m just sayin’