Sunday, June 14, 2009

Rules for a Successful Stake Dance

Last night was a first for Spencer. Although he's been fourteen for several weeks now, it wasn't until last night that he got the chance to attend his first stake dance.

His older, more mature friend Ryan (a couple months older than Spencer) had been getting him excited and filling him in on all the details of what to expect. Because of these conversations, Spencer had begun talking about the details of his first dance for months.

He planned out when to time his haircut so it wouldn't be too long or too short for the occasion. He worried whether the Bishop would have time to give him his dance card. He worried that they might play the Jonas Brothers which would cause him puke all over his dance partner. You know all those important things when you're fourteen.

It was all such a big deal to him, that when my parents offered to let him come on their cool trip to Canada, that he actually hesitated and had to think about whether he wanted to miss his first opportunity to go to a stake dance. Of course, in the end whale watching in the Pacific won out over the Jonas Brothers, but barely.

Even the Young Men's president added to his anticipation, when he gave Spencer these list of rules that he was expected to follow:

1. Ask
2. Escort her to the dance floor
3. Make eye contact
4. Engage in semi-intelligent conversation
5. Escort her back off the dance floor
6. Make sure you ask at least 7 different girls

After all that anticipation, last night was finally the big night.

He put on his jeans and collared shirt, which I may add that we had to buy for him, just for the stake dances, since shorts are not allowed and he did not own any pants other than his Sunday pants...
and he danced the night away and even managed to surpass rule #6 (can you guess by how much?).

Now if I could just figure out how on earth I have a son old enough to go to a stake dance...

14 comments:

Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

News to me. I have never heard of a stake dance so this sounds pretty interesting!!!

Im gonna guess that he asked 10 girls total...he went over by 3!

What a cutie, Im sure the dance card was full!

Andie said...

That's cute. Tell him he is lucky that he is able to wear jeans---all the dances here now are Sunday dress.

I feel your pain with your baby getting older. I had a near out-of-body experience last week walking out of elementary school for the last time with my now middle schooler.

K said...

Stake dances already? Wow! Did he ask 9 girls to dance? Did he like any of them? Oh wait, he's too young to like girls. (o:

Steve-Rosanna said...

What a debonair-looking 14-year old-absolutely dashing. And what can you say about his haircut? Perfection-not a hair out of place!

I bet he danced with 8 young women-which is about exactly 8 more than I danced with at my first stake dance.

Yes, Lara we remain totally in awe of the fact that our baby girl is old enough to have a 14-year old.

Love, Grandpa-Grandma

Charlene said...

Wow!! dances already!!!! What a great idea of the dance card and the rules of dancing. Wish they had that during our stake dances years!!! You were lucky if you got asked even once!!!

Pete said...

First of all, Spence is a stud. Second, how did he take the fact that his mom published his pre-dance plans/excitement for the whole world to read? I am glad I grew up in a world without blogs . . .

Lolli said...

I know exactly how you feel, except of course that my daughter is not quite old enough for the dances. But it's very strange to watch her grow up into a teen.

annalisa said...

spence, you rock!

Grandpa said...

Hey Spence, inquiring minds want to know: Was Shaylen the cute little A&W cashier from Cranbrook BC at the dance?

Momma Nielson said...

I'll bet he came home and announced that over the knee shorts are once again legal at dances. HOORAY!

Annette said...

Jeans at a Stake Dance?? Must be nice. I bet he made more than 7 different girls night!

Lara said...

Just in case anyone's really curious...he asked ten different girls to dance. Great job Spence!

bantcher said...

I've chaperoned many, many stake dances over the years, and I'm certain Spencer set the first night, rookie record for number of dances! He should keep up that great work and show the YM of our ward and stake how it's done! (From Bruce)

Mirien said...

I'm sad that my kids don't love stake dances the way I did. It's not the same here in Utah as it was for me in Indiana. We never missed a dance--they were the highlight of my teenage social life!

Way to go, Spencer. We need more YM like him! It sounds like you are raising an exceptional teenager!

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