"Dip Me, Please!"

Who doesn't look forward to the big finish of a dance? Whether you watch "America's Best Dance Crew" or "So You Think You Can Dance," you wait to see how the routines will follow through from beginning to end. If the performers end by falling flat on their face, the judges will often times brutally share their criticism. On the flip side, a strong ending could save a somewhat flat performance. Despite the outcome we enjoy watching the movement and anticipate the ending. As kids, we pretend to be fabulous ballroom dancers. Tango music comes on and we steal one of mom's tulips, stick it in our mouth considering it a suitable substitute for a rose. We then, grab a partner and begin to dance. We may have never taken one formal class, but we've seen enough old movies, television shows to know what a Tango looks like. And then the music prepares to end. Time for the big finish! "Dip me, please!"

After moving to the same ol' song and dance of life, many of us are waiting for the big finish--especially when it comes to relationships. Romantic relationships. Boy meet girl. Hand on shoulder, one on waist. Boy asks girl out. One, two. three...one two three. Girl and Boy enjoy each other's company. Spin and turn. Boy and Girl disagree. Come together and separate. Boy and Girl break up. They change partners and begin the dance again. A few moves may be added for flair, but the basic choreography is the same. We will dance and switch partners until the right one can close the dance at the end of the song with the "big finish." 

I imagine the frustration and exhaustion when you find--partner after partner--that the "big finish" has eluded you once more. Now you don't even want to run through the routine. Boy meets girl--I know how this goes...You'll ask me to dinner, we hang out and get to know each other, but let's cut to the chase. Either you think I can be the one or not. If you aren't sure and don't think you can be sure, keep it moving! OR, if a guy shows you the list bit of interest you agonize over whether he really likes you and where it could possibly go. Either way, we are no longer keeping time with the music. We are trying to rush through the dance to see if we will finally be dipped. The fact still remains that no matter how fast or slow we dance, when the music comes to it's final chord the big dip will either happen or it won't. You still have to wait for the dip in the end because it does not look as good in the middle of a song. Have you ever heard of a premature dip? Can you imagine how awkward that would be? Where do you go from there? The dip comes at the end of a song allowing you to begin a new one. And if the right partner dips you, he will be there ready to move step by step with you through the next song. 

So I suggest to you, my reader, to wait on the right partner. One whose arms will hold you tight enough to keep you close, but loose enough to let you move. One who will know the steps and won't trip you up. And one who knows the right time and the right way to dip you!