A few weeks ago, after announcing to my students that I was doing this challenge, Dante (pictured above) approached me after class revealing he is also turning #40 this year and wanted to know what other fearless acts were on my list. “Well, I’ve always wanted to #Swing Dance at Lincoln Center!” Dante smiles, “You know, I used to teach Swing in college for years!” Of course, you did. And that’s how this perfect evening began. I didn’t purchase a ticket, which I realized when I got there was there was a big mistake as it was SOLD OUT! It also happened to be the last night of the season. Just as I was texting Dante this news, a beautiful, decked-out-in-full-swing-attire woman motioned me to come over. Introducing, Pam…my new swing bestie. Pam explained her boyfriend wasn’t able to come so she would gladly sell me her ticket for a discounted price (which included coat check, as they don’t allow you to bring anything on the dance floor). “Wonderful!” I said. Pam has been coming to A Midsummer Night Swing since it began 27 years ago! Right away, she took me under her wing, introducing me to all the regulars and was genuinely excited that I was a newbie. Dante arrives, and we all set out for the dance floor. We danced and twirled and laughed and twisted and bopped and mopped (new dance?!) and eventually…got tired. There were old couples and young couples and same-sex couples and even an older woman in a wheelchair bopping to the beat. It was an infectious New York City evening, to say the least. As I walked away, I felt a reassuring sense that there’s so much more to life than I even imagined. And I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface.