Dancing With the Stars<\/strong> took place Saturday night.<\/p>\n A nearly sold-out crowd gathered at the Quality Inn in Pt. Edward, with ticket sales going to benefit the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Center of Sarnia-Lambton.\u00a0 A dance competition, similar to the super popular tv show, with Sarnia celebs strutting their stuff.<\/p>\n Four instructors (one doing double duty and coaching TWO women) and five celebrities working together for months, to put on a show, each couple learning two dances.<\/p>\n I got a chance last minute to attend, and I am so glad I was there.<\/p>\n I got some retail therapy in as I shopped for a dress last minute, and found some cute shoes.\u00a0 A girl never gets tired of that. If I must!\u00a0 Right, ladies!?\u00a0 (smile)<\/p>\n It was incredible to be in the seats this year and watch the Dancing With the Stars cast 2020 perform.\u00a0 You guys were amazing!<\/p>\n Sean Robbins and his partner were crowned the winners this year – but honestly, I think every couple did an outstanding job.\u00a0 What a tough job for the judges.<\/p>\n This years cast –\u00a0 local celebs –\u00a0Angie Marks, Sean Robbins, Robin LA, Ron Realesmith & Madhu Baker.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Instructors: Nancy Michieli, Brian Slaughter, Vasco Michieli & Caroline Irwin<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n I have to say it was bittersweet to watch because last year it was ME<\/em> up on the stage, scared to death, but thrilled with the experience.<\/p>\n Last year I danced with Brian Slaughter, of The Studio fame.\u00a0 \u00a0Samba and maybe the Argentine Tango?\u00a0 Gosh, I think I forget.<\/p>\n I don’t remember our moves.\u00a0 I couldn’t do it again if I tried.\u00a0 But I DO remember the experience. I remember the feeling of being on that stage and doing something I have never ever done before, and probably will never get the chance to again.<\/p>\n Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and doing something absolutely terrifying at the time.<\/p>\n I dance in my basement with nobody watching.<\/p>\n This is an entirely different ball game.\u00a0 Learning to dance, and following choreography was foreign to me.\u00a0 It was hard.\u00a0 It was frustrating.\u00a0 It brought out the best and worst in me.\u00a0 All the doubts and insecurities were amplified.<\/p>\n But it was so worth it!\u00a0 I see you dancers!\u00a0 I know the hard work of everyone of those couples on that stage.\u00a0 I know the hours of practicing. The hours of trying to get those steps just right.\u00a0 Feeling like it’s impossible.\u00a0 I went into it last year expecting to be unteachable.<\/p>\n So, to sit back in a chair on Saturday night and watch as someone else took my place was a bit difficult.\u00a0 It was hard on the heart for sure.<\/p>\n You get close to the one you dance with.\u00a0 A friendship is formed , and to see someone else in your place, well, that was bittersweet.\u00a0 You’re excited to see them perform, but at the same time, it’s\u00a0like watching an ex move on with their life, you want them to be happy, but not really (smile).\u00a0 Am I right?\u00a0 \u00a0It’s hard to feel replaced and forgotten.<\/p>\n (photo credit Lou Parry)<\/p>\n You compare.\u00a0 You analyze.\u00a0 You wonder what you could have done better.\u00a0 You wonder why you didn’t try just a little harder.<\/p>\n You wonder why it bothers you so much.<\/p>\n Brian danced with Robin this year and they were absolutely amazing.\u00a0 Beautiful.\u00a0 Sassy.\u00a0 Graceful.\u00a0 Powerful.\u00a0 Strong.\u00a0 Confident.\u00a0 Absolutely incredible.\u00a0 Those kicks! Those moves!\u00a0 The crowd loved it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All of the dancers that took the stage were remarkable in their own way.\u00a0 And to be honest, seeing the Jive performed makes me want to learn!\u00a0 It looked so fun! Who wants to teach me?<\/p>\n It’s a lot of work getting to that point, but so worth it.<\/p>\n The hair and makeup, the costumes, the sparkly shoes.\u00a0 Feeling like a super star.<\/p>\n I admit, I sure missed it this year, watching from my seat.<\/p>\n I spent the last year compiling all the pictures and memories into a scrapbook album.\u00a0 So I don’t forget.<\/p>\n It’s something my girls still talk about.\u00a0 How proud they are of me.\u00a0 How my dance made them cry.<\/p>\n I hope, if Eve ever asks you to step out of your comfort zone and dance in Sarnia’s DWTS,\u00a0 I hope you dance.<\/p>\n I hope you take the chance and just go for it.\u00a0 Don’t hesitate. Don’t think about it.<\/p>\n And maybe if it’s not this – find that opportunity in life that scares you and just do it afraid.<\/p>\n Do the thing you’ve been so afraid to try.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n You won’t regret the chances you take.\u00a0 Only the ones you don’t.<\/p>\n A great event, an amazing night – and lots of money raised to support the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Center of Sarnia-Lambton<\/strong>.\u00a0 Eve<\/em>, you inspire me to do more and give more.<\/p>\n And because so many of us have that #metoo story, I long for a day nobody needs the support of the SASC.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/bri-web-app-wordpress\/2020\/01\/6564fef1-dane.jpg\")
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