May I have this dance?

Posted on: August 1st, 2009 by Amy Grant 47 Comments

Once again, today confirmed my suspicion that if you remain open to new experiences that the best ones will find you. My unexpected experience today happened at the corner of 36th and Young in Oklahoma City. I was riding my bike from my mother-in-law's to my nephew's house when I heard music coming through the walls at Ingrid's Cafe (at the corner of 36th and Young). At 1pm in the afternoon I was curious to see what was causing such a ruckus. The best choice I made was parking my bike on the sidewalk without a lock and walking through the front door. The 4-piece band was in full swing, the lunchtime crowd had packed the house, and within 5 minutes an energetic World War II veteran had asked me if I wanted to dance. He could two-step and swing dance with ease and taught me moves I had never tried. Halfway through the first dance I asked him his name and he replied, with a smile – "I'm what's left of Bob." I sweated more dancing those four songs than I had during the entire hour long bike ride. On the way out the door Bob said to me, "I didn't learn to dance til I was 67, after I had lost my wife of 44 years. She would have loved this." I said, "I'm afraid I'm married to a man who won't ever like to dance." Bob responded with a twinkle in his eye, "You tell him to remember that he can always be replaced."

http://www.twitter.com/tarajackson Tara

Absolutely precious!
James Waddell

cute story amy…guess, vince needs to shine up his dancin’ shoes…
Gayle

Simply delightful; thanks for sharing, Amy!
http://myspace.com/suzyhayden Suzy Hayden

Aw, that reminds me of the time just recently. I was helping out with our community theater for a play, in which there is 60′s style dancing. I sat on the end seat. At the end of the show, the old man that was playing the Fray came out and asked me to dance in the last scene where everyone in the cast was dancing. I had forgotten how much fun it was to dance. Like you, I too am married to a man who does not dance. I guess the Lord knows how to fulfill our dancing dreams. That was a nice story. Thanks for sharing it. Hope your bike was still there.
lori oakley

I love it!!!!!
Robin Woebkenberg

Fabulous story…love those unexpected, priceless, memories! Thanks for sharing, and I love that you didn’t evem have to lock up your bike.
http://www.twitter.com/thatguyfsu_atl Christopher

I sure dew miss me some Amy Grant – what a lovely story!
Cheryl

Thank you for sharing this experience, Amy. It makes me want to get off my rump and go fulfill new experiences! I’m going for a bike ride!
http://www.myspace.com/luxapalila Allen Delk

That`s funny!!
You just need to take Vince to a dancing class,ha! I bet he wouldn`t go.
Michelle

That’s awesome! You’ll never know what you’ll find downtown. Amy, I’m glad you’re here. Have a great visit!
http://profile.typepad.com/6p01157251d610970b Tim

Hey…some guys just don’t feel as comfortable dancing! It’s not the end of the world.
Andrew

What a delightfully great time! No doubt Amy made a memory for Bob, just as Bob did for Amy!
Alan Carver

It is great to have unexpected experiences that like! My younger sister swing dances . . . she has tried to get her older brother to join in – just for the heck of it I might sign up for a class – now if I can just get these 42 year old knees and legs a shaking – hey if Bob can – so can I!
http://profile.typepad.com/jendy Jendy

Wonderful! If my life (I’m 23) is as blessed as yours, I would feel so…well…blessed! I hope to marry someone one day that loves to dance.
http://www.clickingherheels.blogspot.com Suzanne Schaffer

What a great story! I’m glad you had fun and met what’s left of Bob (that line is hysterical!)
Janice

Amy, thanks for sharing. Your spontaneity and sense of adventure is refreshing.
http://profile.typepad.com/6p0115715f5188970c nonophil16

LOL! What great story Amy…you made my morning. I see a song in the making. It’s all about life experiences and sharing them hey? Thanks Amy.
Janice C.

Bob is adorable! Hope Vince is gonna start dancing with you more!
Zoe W

Thanks for the story Amy, I love it, you describe scenes so clearly…life is for living… and enjoying life is such an important choice….on good days and bad….
Jeff

I’ve never been a big fan of dancin’. Bob may be old, but he ain’t dead yet.
I can imagine Vince could have a quick zinger for that old,old, old man.
http://www.vanessachristine.blogspot.com Michelle Burrill

That’s such a sweet, hilarious story!
http://www.blessedbuilder.blogspot.com Kathy Schwanke

That is so cute. The most heartwarming thing is elderly people loving to dance! My parents have had a rocky relationship over the years, but whenever they are on a dance floor, all the conflict is gone. It blesses my heart!
Thanks for sharing a beautiful story!
http://www.ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com Joy

So sweet! My 83 year old parents still catch moments to dance. Now they are few and far between as my Dad has been in the hospital since March 3rd of this year, but they still take every opportunity to make memories.
Praying some new experiences will take me dancing. If “Bob” didn’t learn to dance until 67, there’s still hope for me!
Blessings,
Joy
http://jewelsightings.blogspot.com Julie Todd

Amy,
I just found your blog through someone else. I’m sure you don’t have time to visit blogs, but if you did, I’d sure welcome a visit from you. I love meeting new people…
I remember when I first heard you sing back in the 80′s…. “My Father’s Eyes”…. It became a fast favorite… I’m a Tennessee girl myself, (Chattanooga)…
Recently Papa God brought the words to that song back to me when I was sitting down to write. (I write devotionals for a ministry blog and my own)… It was sweet to sit with the words and consider what He was saying to me all these years down the road.
I loved this post here and the beautiful picture is presented. It’s amazing the things that God invites us into in life. Looks like you just experienced “the dance”…. This post gives a brilliant picture of the “invitation of the dance”….
Thank you!
Julie
Alyssa

Amy, this is too sweet!!! What a precious experience and I KNOW you made that man’s day!!! In the meantime, I’m sending my dance instructor/friend Keith to make a housecall to Vince!!! I’m looking forward to hearing of more “Tangoing and Two-steppin’” from you two!!!
http://profile.typepad.com/6p010536faddcf970b Mary Kean

Too Funny – Amy! You are a hoot! Bet Vince enjoyed that story……and so did we!
Go Bob Go…….
http://www.show-me-state-of-mind.blogspot.com Tracey (real estate girl)

Amy, what a precious story! Sometimes we can learn so much if we just stop and take the time to listen and spend time with the elderly. They have truly learned to appreciate life!
Tell that hubby of yours to get to “tweeting”!!!
Amy L

Precious! Those WW2 vets are one of a kind- they don’t make them like that anymore! I’ve got my own- grandpa lives downstairs of my parents house; taught me how to garden in my first house this year; he’s 93 and pulling weeds for me…..
Erin

That blog strikes a chord with me! I too am married to a non-dancer. He does not mind me cutting a rug with others…as long as I always save my arms for him!
http://www.wbgl.org Ryan Springer

Wonderful story, Amy! I might just have to share a bit of that one on the air this afternoon on WBGL. Loved it. By the way, OKC is my old stomping grounds. Born and raised there, so I’m jealous you got to spend some time in my hometown… and at White Water too!
Julie

Loved your story! Being a fellow Oklahoman I loved it more! So many sweet men in our state (of course you know that with Vinnie)! I live in Edmond, so I can understand the Ted’s fullness…it is sinful! I was in Colorado (Breckenridge) while you were here! I am cracking up you went to WhiteWater (twice)—I’m headed that way later this week! Glad you made some special memories while in town…we love you guys and (especially) love when you come ‘home away from home’ in Oklahoma. God bless you and the family—good luck with the school year…I just returned from 1 of 3 Information Days! Whew!
John

Great story Amy! Now if I could only find Bob’s blog and his story of the charming young lady that made his afternoon.
http://www.generaldin.blogspot.com Michele

You really do live a most interesting life – I guess the lesson being that we have to be open to life for it to be interesting. Hopefully you’ll gather enough new stories, or maybe some that didn’t get into your last book, and have another book for us in the next few years.
Myra’s daughter

This is a great story. My mom would love it!
http://www.thesecretlifeofkat.com The Secret Life of Kat

What an adorable story. That sounds like something out of a movie. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
http://annkroeker.wordpress.com Ann Kroeker

Now that’s the way to live life–with enough open space to embrace the spontaneous!
RBaer

Sometimes the most delightful experiences happen when one is spontaneous!
Laurie Bellgard

Amy, I wanted to tell you that I was particularly touched by your recent programs cocerned with vets. I very much appreciate your concern and commend you in your efforts in this regard. So much looking forward to meeting you and attending your concerts in the near future. Keep up the good work, you have my complete support always and forever. Luv, Laurie B
Paul Satterlee

This is a very strange story since you replaced your first husband for no good reason….Or should I say no Godly reason.
Amy, me and my wife always loved your music.
About 7 years ago you were on a night time news show and my wife refused to watch, because of your breaking your vows with you first husband. I am sorry to say…..about 4 years later she followed your example and cheated on a faithful husband of 20 years and destroyed a family of 5 kids.
I will continue to pray for the miricle of your’s and her sincere repentance.
Paul S.
Barry

Very nice Amy. I love dancing but am self taught. I have been thinking about taking classes lately and after your wonderful story you know that I will.
Yes I hope your hubby Vince will take it up and you both enjoy it together.
{{{Many Dance Blessings}}}
Travis

Thanks for sharing Amy! Those of the precious moments life throws at us, isn’t it??
Trav
Paul C.

Oh golly, the timing of reading your post. My wife’s been pestering me to take dance lessons for several months now. Tonight she mentioned it again, but so sweetly. She said she would feel beautiful just being in my arms on the dance floor. I’ll take this as a God nudge and get off the couch. Thanks Amy.
http://www.crossyourts.blogspot.com Kelly H-Y

Love, love, love stories like this … when wonderful things happen so unexpectedly!
http://www.albertomartinezonline.com Alberto Martinez

There are no mind elders , the mind can be young as long as there´s time for joy.Nice story
http://www.pawsfuramomentphotography.zenfolio.com Diane Mintle

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing! This would be a great one to put in your next book! Can you sense the subtle hint. I loved your book, Mosaic, by the way!
KEN

you’ve touched my heart and I wasn’t even
the man who was dancing with you……..
Henrique

I have a friend, his name is Ken and he´s another “energic World War II veteran”, as you described Bob. When you were dancing with Bob, you were dancing with others World War veterans, like my friend Ken. I don´t dance too, but, I would open an exception to dance with you.

May I have this dance?

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