“There’s room for one more!”
It had started with Barry White, over the computer speakers in the spare room. When I Can’t Get Enough of Your Love came on, the four of us started dancing. Silly, exaggerated disco, hands forming pistols at our hips. Mom came in from the kitchen to join in. When The Hustle came on, we did that, too.
By the time Three Dog Night started, the five of us were bouncing around, doing the pony and singing along.
“Aaaall the boys and girls!â€ù
Just then, Mom’s fiancé appeared in the hallway, back from running errands. I couldn’t see him well from where I was wearing out a spot in the carpet, but I could guess that he looked pretty amused. I was fairly sure he’d had no idea that making a playlist for the wedding would turn the second bedroom into American Bandstand.
I wondered for a second what Bob thought of it all. The sudden chaos. I also wondered if he’d just shake his head at us and then retreat to the quiet of his bedroom. Most men would have. It was Nora who waved him in.
“There’s room for one more!â€ù
My father would have mumbled something about us being crazy, smile the way does when he means to say, “God, I love my girls,â€ù and settle into his chair with a Clive Cussler thriller.
But Bob danced.
The six of us, bellies full from lunch, danced and sang until our tummies won out over our temporary insanity and we went back to making preparations for the wedding. A few hours later, as I sat listening to the minister perform the ceremony, I thought about how skeptical I’d been this man my mother ultimately left my father for. Who wouldn’t be? I mean, theirs wasn’t a particularly graceful start to a relationship. But Bob danced. And for that, I can’t help but like the guy, and be happy that my mom has found someone who really gets her.
I’m so happy for your mom. It actually makes me feel like there is hope for a bicycle in this fish’s future that just might work even if I’m relegated to swimming against my wishes now.
Love you writing. Share a love of Target. Glad you enjoyed the wedding and therefore TX.
Hey,
Great blog. Really happy for your mom. And I hope we fish find bicycles soon.. it’s been too long
I love reading you..
Take care,
SC
The sentence “There’s room for one more” could never be more true when those kind of life changing events take place. When someone takes over as your mom’s new husband, or in my case when I was a child, a new dad, you always think of them as taking a spot from someone else in your heart. You never realize until moments, like when Bob danced, that there’s room for one more, and any more that may come along.
Many blessings to you and your family!
that is great H…that Bob danced…I wish them much love…maybe they will always remember to laugh & dance…even when times get rough
Hey… I read your blog every once and a while.. I know your littlest sister – if you could please tell her that sarah from plano says hi… and congrats to your mom… and if you could pass on my e-mail to joyce (sarah.brunke@ttu.edu) its been a while since i have talked to her. thanks and keep writing!
Congratulations….the weather in Dallas was awful this past weekend, hope it did not screw up any of the wedding plans!
Sure, Sarah. Will do.
And the weather wasn’t any grosser than it was here, so I didn’t even notice!
Congrats to your mom and your new Bob. Definitely not trying to be trollish — I love your blog, but have never had much to contribute to the subject at hand — however, as a 40-something, I couldn’t help but notice an anachronism: the pony is circa 1960; “Joy to the World” circa 1971. 1971 was more of a “bob your head to the music but don’t dance, man” era. That’s why disco was such a visceral shock to so many 70′s teens. And sending bike wishes your way.
Heather — I can’t imagine what a tough spot it would be in to want to honor your father and be accepting of the new man your mother loves. Tricky! But it sounds like you are on the path to finding that balance. And seriously, how bad can he be if he is willing to make an ass out of himself dancing with the ladies?
As someone who made “room for one more” in the form of mom’s new husband a couple years ago, I can honestly say the joining in and dancing is every bit the good sign you see it as.
Congratulations to all of you!
Barbara,
My mom does the pony to EVERYthing — no matter which era it was made!
even when the means to the end are a bit hard to swallow – it sounds like the end of this love story is gonna be alright. many good wishes to your mom and Bob and to all of you as you make room for one more.
Bob will dance at OUR wedding, too!
It’s the small things. I actually teared up a little.
hi, i guess i will never know because dad passed away a long time ago and mom stayed unmarried ever since, but shouldn’t there be a bit of sadness in finding that you actually like the person your mom replaced your father for? just wondering..
You have an amazing ability to convey the emotion & image of one small moment so very well. Thank you!
that’s fabulous! i’m so happy for your family
That’s so sweet! I felt the same when I saw my dad and step-mom go out to do gardening (which my mom hated)…it’s nice to see two people together who just ‘fit’!
Nah, it’s not sad. It’s actually a relief. She was chose this guy anyway and if I didn’t like him, that would be sadder.
I agree with Heather. My dad passed away four and a half years ago…My mom is now so happy (FINALLY!) dating a man who makes her happy. And I know he’ll never replace my father in my heart. But she’s happy, so that’s what matters.
One like Bob…that gets me…thats what I am looking for. Aren’t we all? Congrats and Best Wishes to your Mom and her Bob.
May we all be so lucky as to find someone who will dance with us and be silly. Congrats to your Mom!
I remember the moment my mum’s boyfriend (now husband) took me aside and told me that he knows how close my mum and I are and that he didn’t want to get in our way. I felt such relief that he understood us and, more to the point, he understood what mum needed in a partner. He still gives us alone time together, just like it was when I was growing up.
Little signs like dancing and alone time really do give an accurate indication of what is to come. Yay! for your family.
That made me tear. I am pre-menstral though.