Five Year Anniversary

Five years ago, Leah and I were married. I'm feeling private today, so any lovey dovey stuff will be shared over dinner this evening. Today, I want to share a story of when one man stole the show at our reception. One podiatrist who with his very own fancy feet set the tone for what would become a full out party. One loving father who may have accidentally started the choreographed, wedding/reception dance phenomenon that's swept the nation. I asked his choreographer, Jessica Clarke, to recall the event. She wrote,

"Dad’s not a dancer. Never has been. Not at weddings, not at baht mitzvah’s, not leisurely. Growing up, Leah was paranoid he wouldn’t even do the father/daughter dance at her wedding. To reassure herself, she would tell him matter-of-factly ‘Well, you’re dancing with me at my wedding.’ Then, meekly she'd follow with, ‘Right? Please? Come on dad, you have to.’"

"Dad randomly said in passing to me, ‘She wouldn’t know what to do if I actually got out there and danced.’ I spent the next two days convincing my dad he should learn a choreographed dance. Jane supplied me with an N’SYNC music video to pull some sweet moves, and I put together a pretty basic routine."

"It took him a few hours to learn the dance, and even though he was way out of his element, he persevered. Dad does nothing half-hearted. There were many late-nights of practicing in the basement and garage. He would emerge sweaty to questioning looks from family members. Many times he'd ask, 'How’s that part go again?' or 'What do my feet do here?' Eventually, against all odds (his severe lack of rhythm), he conquered a dance routine that most six-year olds could manage."

"The reception was one of the few times I’ve seen my dad nervous. He was strangely quiet, couldn’t eat his dinner, and kept saying ‘I can’t wait ‘til it’s over’. He added the sunglasses so he could close his eyes and not have to see everyone watching him. He has told me since that he gained a new respect for cheerleading and dancers. I can only imagine what will ensue at the next Clarke wedding."

With that, I give you the world premiere of Dr. John Clarke's dance dance revolution.