The music starts playing and the song is slow and rhythmic. I lean in and ask.."would you like to dance?". She smiles and says, "yes". We both stand and start walking to the dance floor. She walks in front and reaches back for my hand, which I take in mine. It amazes me that just the touch of her hand makes me smile.

I place her hand on my shoulder and put my arms around her, drawing her as close to me as possible and she smiles, then lays her head on my chest. Her hair smells so wonderful. For the next 3 1/2 minutes I'm in Heaven. Nothing matters, no one cares. At this moment, the world we're living in is as perfect as perfection could be. I tilt my head down just enough to feel her face against mine. I want to kiss her, but I refrain. I want to take my hand and lift her chin, then slowly press my lips to hers, but I don't. I just feel her warm touch and enjoy the moment.

We sway with the music for the next few moments and I close my eyes. I open my eyes and see our reflection in the mirror on the wall. Her eyes are closed and she's smiling, ever so slightly. I see a single tear as it falls down her flushed cheek. I wondered if the tear represented joy or pain and found out later why she cried during this dance. Before this moment, she'd never been held so gentle, never been drawn close to someone without a purpose other than to enjoy the embrace, the closeness. She'd never been danced with in such a way that made her feel respected, loved.

If I could hold one moment for the rest of my life it would be this dance.

The trials I've gone through over time fade away. The pains I feel subside. The hunger in me for more out of life is sustained in that one simple dance.

It was this dance when I realized for the first time in my life, I'm in love.