Shall we Dance?

Norman Johansen sat with his broken leg on a first meeting, trying to convince a music teacher that he loved to dance. He even pulled out not one, but two, pairs of dancing shoes. As soon as the protective boot was off, he tossed down his crutches and gave Jodi an old-fashioned twirl on the living room floor. Jodi loves to twirl. This two-years and strong couple are now taking ballroom dancing classes and are reported to be quite graceful.

On their first date, Norman asked Jodi to come to his house, quite unusual, as most couples meet in neutral settings. Due to his inability to drive, and Jodi's assumption that she could always out run him, she went. Seven hours later, from noon to seven, Jodi realized the time had flown and she had met someone just like her.

The next week, he figured out how to drive left-footed and attended her school's music concert. Jodi teaches music and choir. When she first rode in his truck, he popped in a CD of a musical. She asked if he was just trying to impress her, but no, he could prove that the recording was not a new one! For this musical lady, a wide range of musical tastes is a requirement. Part of her job is finding new music and new musicians to play for her students.

In their first lengthy meeting, it was like a meeting of minds. Both enjoy the outdoors, both love music, both like to garden, do Sudoku puzzles, and they are both terrible with names. They even had similar ex-spouses, and now joke about the types of criticism both used to receive. They like to look at the stars, walk in the woods, and kayak.

Yet, Jodi is go, go, go and the equally energetic Norman can slow down her world to a delightful stop. On Friday nights, the two of them light candles, drink some wine, listen to music, dance if a good slow one comes on, and mostly, talk and laugh. In Jodi's family, a good party is measured by the number of laughs, and Norman makes a party of two.

Their families love each other. Jodi just got a trip to her family homeland of Ireland, courtesy of Norman's daughter who invited this fun companion. While there, Jodi picked up a Celtic drum and a tin whistle, and she practiced playing in the car.

Jodi first heard about The Right One through a mailing she received. At the time, she was still in graduate school and not ready for a relationship. With diploma in hand, she signed up for the service. She was looking for someone full of life, and found him.

Today, their song is, "Shall we dance?" from the King and I. They will soon wear out their dancing shoes, but not the fun they are having.