How the Virginia Reel Changed My Life

I grew up in a really small place.  And by small I mean the nearest grocery store, gas station, and high school were 50 miles away.  As such there were very few social opportunities available.  I know, that explains a lot.

There were two main social events every year - the 4-H dance in March/April and the Fireman's Picnic and consequent dance on July 4th.

Those dances were the highlight of my young life.  Mostly because Cody Krenka was going to be there and maybe, just maybe he would ask me to dance and then I could write about it in my journal.  Cody Krenka was it.

The music was always country music.  Up to that point, country music and church music were the only genres of music that existed.  Later on we found out we could get 97.1 from Salt Lake and listen to Paula Abdul.  Paula Abdul was almost as cool as Cody Krenka, although a bit more musical.

Anyway, Swayne and Jackie Moore would bring their guitars and set up on the stage at the community hall and we would dance and dance.  Sometimes when Cody Krenka didn't ask me to dance, my dad, who wasn't a dancer would dance with me so I wouldn't be sad.  He would hold my hands and we would jump up and down in the middle of the floor.  I thought he was the greatest dancer in the whole world.

The main event of any dance was the Virginia Reel.  Swayne and Jackie would bust out Turkey in the Straw and play it for at least an entire hour so everyone would get a chance to sashay down the middle of the group.  Even if I had to dance with my sister, I never missed it.

It was both a dance and a semi-WWE wrestling match - mostly because by the time it came around, a majority of the older men were drunk and they would swing you so hard, they'd almost throw you against the wall.  When you went in for the swing, you had to remember to stay low and keep your elbow locked - no panty-waist spaghetti arm allowed.

Sometimes you'd surprise one of them and they'd remark how strong you were.  And you would beam - because being a strong little girl out there was a compliment.  By the end, your arm and both hands hurt like the dickens, but man, was it fun.

Yesterday, sister-in-law sent us a message saying there was a youth stake dance and they were going to learn how to line dance.  Since we had nothing better to do and also because making fun of people and humiliating our nephews is at the top of our hobby list, Husband and I swung by.  Nephews were not happy about it.  One of them said, "Uncle Nick is going to ruin my life."

Much to my delight, they weren't line dancing at all.  They were learning the Virginia Reel.  I could barely contain my excitement and just like when I was little, I prayed someone would ask me to dance (Husband's not a dancer either).  I'd even already forgotten that it was a youth dance and that I am now 31 and pregnant - soooo not in the right age bracket.

About ten minutes into it, my nephew lost his dance partner.  He was relieved.  He didn't want to dance anyway.  He came to sit by me and I immediately grabbed his hand and begged him to dance with me.  He didn't want to.  Nothing is less cool than dancing with your over-eager aunt.  His mother, however, shamed him into it.  You don't say no to Aunt Erin.

Good gosh, but it was the best time I've had in months.  Nephew was humiliated.  He just stood there while I danced around him and flung him around like a rag doll.  I also might have clapped and bellowed a few YEE-HAWS.  Nephew kept leaning in and saying, "Aunt Erin, don't you want to sit down?  Aren't you tired?  Don't you want to quit now?"

HECK NO!  Do-si-do, baby doll!

In the end, after I was completely tuckered out and sweating like a pig, I graciously let him off the hook.  And made him bring me some punch.

For the rest of the evening, I settled in like the adult I am and proceeded to heckle and giggle because dances haven't changed at all.  They still have close to the same play list they did back when I was in high school.  Even the Macarena.  And the kids are still slightly socially uncertain.  And the deacon shuffle...ahhh....the deacon shuffle never goes out of style.