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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7rU0PbN98
By Edwidge Crevecoeur-Bryant, St. Augustine, Florida354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRE4bpWGZ3
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Friday afternoon. The YMCA was full. At 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmRUWu1KF3
8, I felt like I was 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6j9frQaSI
,354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf7jjFYKuo
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 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzyYNwVyoL
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 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQoT5zoFUy
my mother, who was recovering from a stroke, or visiting Thomas' father. at a veterans care center with his mother. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKqNWcAbDK
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 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAyJJLMkOC
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, 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI30YYslBi1
, 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 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3UKJVh5lE
how?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAgIMykKjS
Y's graph caught my eye. Zumba at 6:00 pm, 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvyIFAe63v
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLt62lvBg5
"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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk25NzXdMi1
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." 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl18bie3qN4
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 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF42AlSGnuV
get him back up and running. Eight months later I was at Zumba, totally in the zone 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M3EcG3FYb
. 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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HUs20ASMC
"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 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6UQOQJHxN
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cFgPmAaFM
"I just wanted to see what Zumba was all about," he said nonchalantly. I didn't push. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBcFCWTby9
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eCHE1dNO4
Thomas... in tracksuits! I wrapped my arms around him. Everyone applauded. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSufyNGH09b
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. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLc5SZv0Sa
I played quietly at home. I didn't want to scare him. "Thanks for coming tonight," I said. "Did you have fun?" 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoVJklrVDi
"I did," he admitted. - Sweating helped get rid of my stress. I feel good!" 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b26HTjQGp
"What was I trying to tell you?" I said laughing. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBIULpcKjl
"There's something else," he said. "I like the way you move. You are really good.” 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY6O9TwxO1
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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qFBuNCV7Q
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