Old Love

When I was out and about the other day, I happened to see an elderly couple also out and about.  They were strolling along hand-in-hand as they went about their errands.  

My heart just melted.  

I got to thinking about the difference between young love and old love.

Young love is all about possibilities, hopes, and dreams.  It is about building a foundation for the future.  

Old love is still about hopes and dreams, but more so the accomplishment thereof.  It is about looking at the intricate architecture of a life built on determination and persistence.

Young love is energetic, while old love is graceful.

I know this to be true because I can see it in how couples dance together.  When Captain and I were dating, our activity of choice was to go to various dance halls in the area.  There was a group of 10 or 12 of us who generally ended up in the same place on the same night.

Captain and I are not dancers unless it’s a buckle-shiner.  We’ve got those down pat.  That doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate watching people who can dance.  In our group back in the day, there was a couple who could dance the--I call it the jitterbug, but that may not be right--like nobody’s business.  You know, the dance where the girl twirls underneath the guy’s arm and he spins her backwards?  Anyway, this couple could jitterbug all night long and no one could match them for speed or style.  It was always so much fun to watch them.

A lot of the times, the dances that we were at were wedding dances at a public venue.  There would be the expected contingent of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents.  

As much fun as it was to watch our friends do the jitterbug, it was ten-fold more fun to watch the elder generation do polkas, waltzes, and two-steps.  If you have ever seen a couple who has been dancing together for decades take over the dance floor for a polka, you know exactly what I am talking about.  These couples communicate by eye contact and hand pressure.  Many times, they both have their eyes closed and just dance by feeling.  How freaking amazing is that?!

Whether you are in young love, old love, or--like me and Captain--in middle love, dance like no one is watching, even if it is just a buckle-shiner in your living room all by yourselves.