Remembering my 8th Grade Dance

I was talking to a lady yesterday and she mentioned that her daughter was going to an 8th grade dance. I told her that I remembered my 8th grade dance and it was very special. Actually there were about two or three of them and one 7th grade dance.

I went to a Catholic school and the girls wore uniforms and seeing them on a daily basis was mundane and they were just girls and nothing special. When I went to my first dance in 7th grade, I noticed that my class mate girls wore make up and nice clothes and I was blown away! They were so beautiful and I was falling in love with them. I had a great time that night as we all danced and I even slow danced with about 2 girls and it was an incredible experience to dance with a girl for the first time. Mind you, it was nothing sexual, just innocent boy girl attraction.

In 8th grade, there was a new girl and her name was Joan and I had a mad crush on her. At one of the dances I finally had the courage to ask her to dance. It wasn't easy because I was very nervous. We did slow dance but after a minute or two, my friend Charlie cut in and took over and finished the dance with her. I was disappointed of course but I was thrilled to have had a minute of heaven with her. Being a shy kid, I never asked her out or anything nor did she ever know that I had a crush on her.

I think the reason why I remember my 8th grade dance with Joan is because I never attended any of my high school dances. I didn't even go to the prom either. I ended up at an all boys Catholic school and was very shy with these kinds of social rituals.

I'll always remember Joan. She was beautiful and that brief moment of slow dancing with her will always be cherished.