Our Christmas songs came true!
Four readers explain how festive tunes took on whole new meanings for them
‘We have a relationship full of fun and dancing’ When Arrianne O’shea, 30, from Brighton, discovered swing dance, she found far more than just a new hobby.
‘Ilove this photo of me with Scott, we’re literally Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. But this is what we do, dancing together is what makes us happy and the thing I love most of all about swing dance is that it’s impossible to do it without smiling. The music sucks you in, transporting you to another place, back to a different era. Swing events at Christmas are especially fun, with twinkling fairy lights and silly Christmas jumpers. There’s a real sense of sparkle and magic – and for me, that feeling lasts all year long.
I’ve always loved dance and, as a child, I had ballet and tap lessons. However, I only discovered swing dance a few years ago, after a friend dragged me along to a local class. I worked as a web developer, and fancied a fun hobby. Little did I know how much it would change my life.
Walking into that first Swing Patrol session in a pub in north London, I couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. But as I pushed open the door to the back room, the music that sprang forth was joyful and uplifting. The teacher, Scott, came over to welcome
me. He seemed so friendly that my apprehension disappeared. As the class progressed, we moved around the room, swapping partners.
From that moment, I was hooked.
Scott’s charisma struck me immediately. Warm, lively and a brilliant dancer, he had a fill-the-room confidence and a gift for making everyone feel at ease. We soon became good friends, and as my dance skills improved, he would ask me to go with him and perform at festivals and events. I found him attractive, but I didn’t ever consider that he might feel the same. Scott’s the kind of person who is equally lovely to everyone. I assumed it was simply his natural friendliness.
A SPECIAL FEELING
However, as time went on, Scott and I realised that we were spending time together not just at dance events, but in our spare time, too – and we were enjoying every minute of each other’s company. Then, last December, we were sitting in a pub after a rehearsal when Scott took my hand and said he had feelings for me, too. I’d always
assumed he was out of my league – after all, he was the teacher!
From there, everything fell into place. I realised how special Scott was to me and now we have a relationship that is full of fun, laughter and lots of dancing! This Christmas, we will love Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree all the more because dance has given me so much in my life – most of all, it’s given me love!’ SCOTT SAYS: ‘From the day Arrianne walked into my class, I could tell she had an energy about her and an amazing spirit – she was always making everyone laugh. I often say that I can teach dance, but I can’t teach personality, and Arrianne had it by the bucketful. As I got to know her better, I found I loved her attitude to life: she’s a strong woman who knows exactly who she is.
Swing dance is my life and now I have the perfect partner to enjoy it with. We’ll walk down to a club near our home, have a rum and Coke and dance for hours to a local jazz band. I love dancing with her more than anyone else in the world.’ • swingpatrol.co.uk