Night on the Town (by guest blogger Jason)...

Last night I had a special date to the North Kitsap Daddy Daughter Dance. Lena eagerly accepted my invitation, breaking my long streak of dateless dances going to junior high school. Preparation began in the morning with Lena assuming control of my wardrobe. My plan to wear old blue jeans and t-shirt was quickly overruled. Her investigation into the inner recesses of my closet revealed an acceptable alternative, dress pants, dress shirt, tie, and black shoes “like you wear at work”.
Later that evening, we departed. First stop was dinner. Lena’s choice was Casa Luna, a little Mexican joint in town. Lena feasted on chicken enchiladas enduring multiple embarrassing date night moments. Salsa drips on the dress, rice on the dress, enchilada juice on the dress. Each time Daddy came to the rescue with a paper napkin dipped in his water glass to wipe the potential stain away. We left stain free! Next was a stop at Hot Shot Espresso for some dessert. Lena nibbled on a chocolate chip cookie while Daddy pre-funked with a mocha. Now we were ready to dance!

Fashionably late is how we rolled, arriving at 7:00, 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. Lena received her complimentary corsage and we headed on in. Music pumped from the gymnasium doors as we approached. There were hundreds of daddies and daughters. The dance was big and loud. Lena entered cautiously through the streamer framed door way, staring wide eyed at the scene that unfolded. She stood speechless. Girls ran wildly about with balloons and mini beach balls. Groups of girls danced to the pumping music. Daddies lined the gym periphery. A contingent of daddies and daughters held court near the speakers, grooving away. My date stood transfixed, frozen in place. “Should we go out and dance or go get our pictures taken?” I asked. “Pictures!” was the reply. We made our way through the crowd to exit the other side of the gymnasium and stood in line for our pictures.

Inevitably, the pictures were done and we had to brave the bedlam back in the gymnasium. We headed in. “Stayin’ Alive” was raising the roof. We tentatively made our way across the floor and began to dance. Lena’s movements were jerky, rigid, wooden, and without the least bit of rhythm. She seemed nervous and stared at one of her friends dancing nearby, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do. “Oh no” I thought, “She dances just like her father!” I leaned over and whispered “You just need to pretend we are dancing at home in the living room.”

Boom! The flood gates opened! Lena instantly found her groove. She began stomping her feet. Spin moves, kick moves, leaping moves, it was on. For 90 straight minutes it was on. Lena insisted we dance every song. Fast songs, slow songs, songs you’ve never heard, songs you don’t like, didn’t matter, Daddy had to endure it all. Sweat began running down the brow, but that earned not the least bit of sympathy from Lena. Chicken Dance, YMCA, Macarena, on and on. The highlight was getting our request played, Lena’s favorite song “So What” by Pink.

We had a great time. I can hardly recall another time where Lena and I talked so much, laughed so much, and had so much fun together. The Daddy Daughter Dance will be one of those memorable events Lena and I will both fondly look back on. I can’t wait for next year! I may wear shorts and short sleeves though!