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Writer's pictureJess

First Dance

Updated: Jul 24, 2020

Strangely, I remember the makeup I wore to my first dance better than I do the actual dancing.

See, at the time, it was all the rage to wear lots and LOTS of sparkles on/near your eyes. Actually, you could put the stuff anywhere, really. I remember being transfixed by my brother's girlfriend who always wore a delicate sheen of sparkles on her tan, pedicured feet.

My outfit was green, so of course I wore green glitter to coordinate. Not knowing exactly how it was to be applied, I just sort of rolled it around each temple, so I ended up with perfect green circles of crazy sparkly glitter right by each eye. No mascara or anything, just the glitter. This look would have been finished by a thick slather of pearly lipgloss. I remember really liking one called Champagne Frost.


I felt a lot of anxiety about dancing with a boy for the first time. I asked my sister, who was one year older and therefore ultra-wise, and she said you just put your hands on his shoulders and sway. We practiced in the living room and it did seem pretty basic.


I wish I could describe the magic of these annual summer celebrations. There's something so stirring about a warm, evening breeze, the smell of cotton candy and golden funnel cakes and faintly, the strange new smell of your own perfume because you're finally old enough to wear it. It's funny how you can forget almost everything about a certain event, but you'll never forget how you FELT.


...I was so excited and happy and I don't know. To ask me, he held out his hand and said, "May I have this dance?" It was so cute! I'm so tired. Jessie

Anyway, I danced with a boy that night. It was nothing special as far as dances go, but it marked the end of an era. I wasn't a kid any more.


What is your first dance story?? Please share it below in the comments! :) WBS- Jess

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Jess
Jess
Aug 15, 2020

We need to get the aunts to share some of their stories on here. Your mom’s yearbook inscriptions are a MUST.

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Natalie AP
Natalie AP
Aug 15, 2020

Though it hurts, I have been laughing my head off at these hilarious stories (and comments!!). I am in stitches- literally. @Mae Nelson gave me the link to this blog, keeping me successfully and delightfully entertained during my recovery from my wisdom teeth extraction. Just wanted to say thanks!

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brookiekempton
Jul 20, 2020

To get ready for any special occasion, I would always straighten my frizzy, thick hair. My first dance, of course, was such an occasion. I would straighten layer by layer and the painstaking process would take hours! I remember the warmth from the summer night air and the heat radiating off of my freshly straightened hair. Add the nerves from anticipation, I was so hot! I remember my round cheeks were flushed, looking like two apples. My hands weak and sweaty. I thought of the quote from "Princess Diaries" as my reflection looked back at me. "As always, this is as good as it's gonna get." I was ready. As I walked into the gymnasium, I was hit by a…

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