Sunday night, I went to a bar in downtown Charleston to swing dance (I’m there to dance, not partake). I was feeling myself that evening in my cute Lilly Pulitzer dress and my epic dance moves. I saw all of the regular people I knew. But there was a new guy who asked me to dance about halfway through the night.

He was older (maybe fifties) and wore a plain brown t-shirt that had a rooster on it. He side-eyed me and said, “I’ve been wanting to dance with you all night”. I’m trying not to think about how many drinks he has had at this point. Some people would be a bit creeped out, but I was there to dance and that's what I was going to do.

The man mentioned that he can only dance shag and not swing. He holds out his hands in a loose shag/swing hold. I take his hands and prepare to dance. I thought this would be just another dance of basic steps and shuffling around, but I was a bit shocked when the song began.

The man barely didn't move the entire dance. He held out his hands and just let me move. I swayed with the music, pulling out all the steps I knew. He stood there, hands out, providing support where needed, but nothing more. It was all on me; every step and spin were my doing. Honestly, it was so odd but such an empowering experience. This man was a blank canvas and I was the artist. I was in my element, creating a masterpiece step by step.

The man’s glassy gaze caught my eye at the end of the song. He said, “You’re an angel” and walked off. I am so very confused by this encounter, but also very intrigued. Every dance is a unique experience that sculpts me as a dancer.

Mystery man, thank you for reminding me that I am an artist in this beautiful canvas of life.