Dancing With A Princess

Before I was married I actually danced with a princess on a dare. I had been hanging out with some friends of a friend I met ten years earlier whom I lost touch with. The "group" went clubbing, picnics in the park, house parties and the like. I imagine being single and in with a group of friends is no different now than it was back then.

You first have to know I was a wallflower at parties. I spoke only when spoken to and I was "shy" around women. Whenever this group went out dancing at clubs they would always drag me out and try to coax me into dancing with them....with no luck at all. It was a time when I started to return home late. This wasn't a problem because I owned my own house then, but camped out at my parents on weekends to attend these gatherings every now and then.

But then during Chinese New Year in 1984, the group decided to crash the Coronation Ball that usually preceded the annual Chinese New Year Parade. That year it was held the day before my birthday.  We had just finished dining out when someone had the idea that we had not done that before. We snuck in and started to smooze with the dignitaries. Then one of them saw me staring at the royal entourage and heard me mentioning "wouldn't it be nice if...." and took it as a wish to be made a reality.

After two dance numbers and a lot of coaxing from the group, one of the group members made the dare. If I asked the royal member I had been staring at all night for a dance, the group would stop pestering me for the rest of the evening. Naturally I had to think it over. I built up my courage and approached the one I thought carried herself the best. Trying my best to hold the trembling to a minimum I asked the First Princess for a dance.

For the record, I'm sure it was nothing special for her, but it was something out of a fairy tale for me. At least I can actually say that I danced with a princess. I don't remember the tune, but it was a memorable moment and one that I can now share with you. 

Thank you Shari Lynn Choy
...for those few moments in time which changed a life.