I fell into dancing right around the time I started graduate school. It happened one evening in February 2007. I remember I used to see the studio every evening off the highway, feeling tired from an overwhelming night of classes and studying and just thinking, "Man, if I could only dance, I am sure I would feel so much better." I remembered that I grew up watching ballroom shows on television and wishing that I could do that one day. I made it my New Year's Resolution that year to do something for myself, so I decided to go back to the one thing I knew I did fairly well as a kid - dancing. I put my fears aside and walked into the Dallas studio and left feeling like a new woman!

I have danced since I was 4 years old. In my home country of Guayaquil, Ecuador social dancing was the norm. I grew up dancing salsa, merengue and the traditional music of my country - cumbia - but ballroom was different for me. Before I joined the studio I had not danced in about 3 years. I was a parent, a wife, and a student who felt overwhelmed with the responsibilities of everyday life and did not think I could in a busy schedule fill in a couple of minutes of fun just for myself.

I started dancing at least once a week, then several times a month, learning a few steps here and there and training my muscles to just relax and enjoy the music. I felt a bit awkward at first dancing without a partner (since my husband does not dance and did not want to join me in my new endeavor), but I did not care. I would continue dancing just to see where it would take me.

Through dancing at the Dallas studio, I have met some new friends, learned new steps outside of my comfort zone and learned how to dress up again. The studio is my other home, the one place where I can unwind and forget about the housework for a bit, and the science project I have to help my daughter finish or the stress of life as a news reporter.

I look forward to my dance classes not only because I can "chill out" for those couple of minutes, but because I can see my friends and also my instructors who make "how was your day?" sound so welcoming and just wonderful.

Why wouldn't I want to do this forever?