In the crowded streets of Los Angeles, a man discovered that life as a single person was vastly different from his time spent in a relationship. Moving from New York to Los Angeles, he faced a new reality after a split from his partner, which led to a loss of friendships, community, and even his beloved cat. Working a rigorous early shift at Sony Pictures, he struggled to find a social life in a city that seemed to have everything but a place for him.
His partner’s late-night restaurant shifts left him isolated, searching for connections in venues like Home Depot and Ikea, which were suggested as hotspots for meeting potential partners. Despite the tempting possibilities, he found that the straight men often commanded the attention in these environments. The Yelp reviews of local West Hollywood bars painted a similar picture, where hopeful singles lined up against walls, hoping to make connections but finding that the process was hardly glamorous.
In a twist of fate, his chiropractor introduced him to Daniel, a masseur who shared his own struggles with heartache. Drawing from his recent experience, Daniel encouraged him to try country western dancing, proclaiming that it was an excellent way to meet new people. His description of the experience was inviting—dance for five minutes and then move on to the next partner, much like taking a test drive.
Despite his reservations about country music, the thought of twirling with a handsome dance partner was appealing. His memories of square dancing lessons back in Minnesota surfaced, reminding him that he had dabbled in the world of dance before. Yet, as he practiced his foxtrot, he often felt more like a stumbling fool than a confident dancer.
Embracing the challenge, he attended weeknight dance lessons at Rawhide, a place where beginners could coalesce to improve their skills while surrounded by others sharing the same struggles. He often found himself merely observing the better dancers while hoping to blend into the background, but then he noticed him—a striking man in tight jeans, cowboy boots, and a fashionable hat.
Despite holding a mental list of reasons why he shouldn’t pursue this attraction, he returned week after week to the Sunday Beer Bust, now trying to apply the skills he was gradually acquiring. However, his spirits started to dampen as he questioned the value of continuing this pursuit. During a routine drive over the hills to the Valley, he had a moment of reflection, asking himself if he genuinely wanted to keep going with this endeavor.
Upon entering Rawhide sober one Sunday night, he was greeted by the surreal sight of men of all types dancing with partners, immersed in their own worlds to a remixed version of “My Favorite Things.” As he leaned against his usual post after grabbing a drink, something unexpected happened: their eyes met.
At that moment, the man he so admired glanced over while dancing with another, his smile igniting a flicker of hope that had long been dormant within. The dance floor was transformed into an electric landscape as the song changed, leading to an unexpected invitation to dance from the man himself. What began as a hesitant engagement turned into a series of Sundays together, solidifying a connection that blossomed through shared steps and frequent laughter.
As the years passed, their weekly ritual continued, evolving from the dance floor into a life filled with memories, challenges, and above all, love. After 25 years, the couple had settled into a comfortable rhythm, occasionally reminiscing about the youthful enthusiasm of their early years and the evolving journey of their relationship. The span of time had marked them, introducing elements of age and change, yet their bond remained vibrant.
While their favorite dance venues had closed over the years, their unity persisted, with the shared experience of learning to navigate life together often bringing both harmony and a few sour notes along the way. Now, when they dance together, he found solace in the strength of his partner’s embrace, allowing them to float together freely as the music swells.
As they continue to reside in Mid-City, the relationships forged on the dance floor echo the depths of genuine connection. Though the author admits to being somewhat antisocial on social media, he remains open to reconnections with the past and hopes that sharing their journey may resonate with others on similar paths.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-06-13/la-affairs-craig-bartelt-tight-jeans-boots-cowboy-hat-would-he-ask-me-to-dance
