Jaclyn and Dave Kennedy's First Dance

Newlyweds, Jaclyn and Dave Kennedy are finally relaxing after the whirlwind of their marriage. Aside from the typical wedding preparations, the Kennedys decided to add another element to their special day that would make it an occasion unlike any other. Hoping to surprise their friends and family, Jaclyn and Dave secretly began the hunt for ballroom dancing lessons. "We wanted our first dance as a married couple to be non-traditional, yet still romantic and symbolic of our relationship." Having spent the majority of their lives in California, Jaclyn and Dave didn't know what to expect from the more modest dance culture of the Midwest. Then they found American Style Ballroom in Fort Wayne, Indiana. "I felt like we had walked into a major studio in downtown Chicago," said Dave after their first visit, "everyone in there was very professional and inviting, so immediately we felt comfortable even though we had never danced." After their first visit, the instructors at American Style Ballroom began choreographing an original routine for the Kennedy's song of choice, "Lazy Eye" by Silver Sun Pick-ups. Although their song was alternative rock, it still corresponded musically with the Rumba, known as the Latin dance of love. The dance traditionally displays a sensuous movement of the hips and a sense of flirtation between the man and lady. After learning about the characteristics of the Rumba and their choreography, Jaclyn wondered how in the world she would pull-off sexy, while Dave wondered how he would pull anything off at all. However, the Kennedy's began working through their initial insecurities as they learned their routine piece by piece. "It was great to overcome the vulnerability that comes with trying something new, and have those feelings replaced with confidence and excitement!"

The choreography given to Jaclyn and Dave was by no means easy and required lots of practice away from the studio. During the weeks leading up to their big day, Jaclyn and Dave had converted their kitchen floor into their own personal dance studio. The couple also drew motivation from TV's Dancing with the Stars, as they started to notice the finer points of ballroom dancing. "After a few lessons we started to develop a greater appreciation for the culture, art and sport of dancing, there is so much artistry, logic, and technique implemented into every movement you make." A couple who thrives on physical activities such as running, skiing and biking, the Kennedy's are now convinced that ballroom dancing is the best physical and mental workout they've ever had. "However," said Dave, "the satisfaction and relief we felt after we performed the routine on our wedding day, completely made all of our hard work worth the effort!"

The Kennedy's Rumba turned out to be a big hit with their friends and family at their June wedding in California. Three months of exploration into an unfamiliar world of ballroom dancing helped Jaclyn and Dave not only put the perfect touch on their perfect day, but also afford them a hobby and skill they plan to use for the rest of their lives.