Completely Unnecessary

They’re just adorable.

Ceili is is Irish group folk dancing; square and contra dancing in the US are largely derivatives of ceili. Maybe a two months ago, Andrew and I went to the weekly ceili at the Irish American Heritage Center, and were the unexpected belles of the ball. The youngest people in the room by 50 years (with the exception of my friend Stephanie and her husband), we were complemented and coddled by every grandparent-type in the room. Granted, there was the requisite old man who felt the need to tell me how I was doing it wrong and drag me around by my wrists. Luckily, he wasn’t as strong as the bossy-mc-bossersons at contra dancing, so I wasn’t in quite as much pain. Also, I had this conversation with a number of rheumy-eyed grannies:

“Are you an Irish dancer?”

“Yes. I danced with Trinity as a child, and I’ve kind of taken it up again.”

“I could tell, dear, I could tell. Ah, Trinity.”

Almost to the word in every single conversation, each tiny old lady gingerly holding my hands the entire time. As we left, people asked us if we’d be back the next week.

Two weeks later, I saw Stephanie at my Irish dance class. She told me that the old people we all asking after us, inquiring when we’d return. Never have I felt so popular.

We’re going back tonight, and I feel like there’s a certain degree of pressure. Last time, we were special due to our newness and our ceili virginity. Now, having danced the steps before, I expect their standards to be higher. Better practice your sevens, Otto.

Undoubtedly, our favorite moment will again be the time when the large man in the corner turns off the record player and says with a thick brogue, “Alright everyone, tea time!” Tea time is wonderful.

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