By Ann von Dehsen, October 8, 2020 — José’s essay…reminded me of something I wrote eight years ago for my daughter and her soon-to-be husband, a poem about them. I wrote it and read this at their wedding … My daughter Rachel met her husband Craig because they lived in the same apartment building when they were both going to Drexel [University].
“Until today you’ve danced the many dances of life alone. The infant dance of tiny little footsteps. The toddler dance of worldly exploration, and the child dance of creativity and wonder. You danced separately, still strangers, unaware that the universe was slowly, magically, guiding your steps closer and closer.
Adolescent dances of independence and defiance merged into attempted partner dances of young adulthood. But the steps did not flow, then the choreography crumbled, sending you back to your own solitary movements. And still, unbeknownst [to] each other, your dance paths were swirling closer and closer together until finally you both danced up the same steps, into the same building and began a tentative pas de deux.
At first, barely touching, you encircled each other seeking a common step and thread. Slowly, your movements intertwined and became one as together you flowed to your own natural rhythms. And today, you begin your dance of togetherness with the most intricate steps of all. There will dances of blissful joy and dances of tearful sorrow. Dancing of fall-down laughter and dances of stomping anger. Dances of painful need and dances of heartfelt encouragement. Most will be danced on solid ground and some on thin ice. But all will be held together by your very own dance of love. May you be dance partners forever.”