The Art of Dance

Dance. Particularly swing - definitely ballroom. There's something exhilarating and contagiously joyful about twirling around a dance floor, bumping into all of the other pairs, laughing when you slip, and trying to hold a conversation even though it's nearly impossible over the din of the music, clicking shoes, and other voices all around.

I decided recently that I wish I had been born to live in the nineteen-forties. At first I thought it was simply because I love the music and dance of that era (which is certainly still true), but as I've been considering it, there are so many reasons besides that.

1) The fashion. 

Because, honestly, modest is hottest. And somehow the forties ladies manage to look flirty, gorgeous, modest, and put together in something as simple as a skirt and blouse. Plus, there's those high waisted shorts which (though they might not be super popular) are darling and super slimming if you know how to wear them. That, combined with the hairstyles and shoes, is just perfectly classy. If I could wear something like that every day and not get odd looks from people, I would do it.

2) The films.

Because the 1940s were the years of the classics. The two movies that are still considered the most classic today came out in the 40s - Casablanca and Citizen Kane - both of which are excellent. On top of that, there's It's a Wonderful Life, Meet Me in St. Louis, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Dumbo, and Oliver Twist. I hope at least some of these movies are familiar, but if they're not, make an effort to see at least one or two of them sometime in the next few months.

3) The war.

Because (although it might seem like a strange reason), I really adore the idea of being the girl waiting for her soldier to come home. Military history is so inspiring and intriguing - and none more to me than World War II.

4) The romance.

Because dating is overrated. This probably comes (in many ways) from the part of me that is a hopeless romantic at heart, but I want something like that. I want to be so in love that months and years apart can't come between us. And (I repeat) dating is overrated. It's been so trivialized, that it seems like it's not even a step toward marriage. I'd much rather be courted.

5) The dance.

Because this is where my heart and soul lies when it comes to the nineteen forties. Enough of this modern "moshing" and "grinding". I could go swing dancing every night and not get sick of it. And I like it for a few reasons. Firstly, swing dance is fun. Just, purely, innocently fun. Secondly, it's social. You go dancing with friends. You talk (mostly when you're catching your breath), you laugh (often for no real reason), and you dance with a bunch of different partners (even some you've never met before). And thirdly, swing dance is good for anyone. The basic step is so easy, literally anyone can do it. But then, once you've been dancing for a while, you can be more advanced. In no time, you can do spins and lifts that you wouldn't have been able to dream of the day you started. I've been dancing - I mean, really dancing - for about a year, and I can already do some crazy stuff if my partner knows what he's doing, too.

So, yes, I wish I was a forties girl. But I also know that God gave me a twenty-first century life for a very good reason. I might never know what that reason is, but I'm excited to keep dancing through life to figure it out. And who knows? Maybe the nineteen forties are making a comeback.