the writing and photography of Neil Kramer

I Still Remember the Wedding Dance

If you’ve ever watched “Dancing with the Stars,” you’ve seen the couples rehearse their routines in a second floor dance studio somewhere in Los Angeles. The first time Sophia and I saw the TV show, we instantly recognized the dance studio as the one on 3rd St. near the Beverly Center. Back when it was fashionable to do swing dancing, we had studied swing dancing at this dance studio. We enjoyed it so much we ended up hiring a swing band for our wedding.

The Andrew Sisters’ “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” was the song we used for our first dance at the wedding.

Sophia doesn’t think I’m sentimental enough to remember our first dance, but I do. And to prove it to her, I will now redo my wedding dance in honor of our anniversary. I hope Sophia will do her dance steps in New York.

98 Comments

  1. Sarah

    Oh wow. I think that might be the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen!

    I do not find it surprising at all to discover that you are a sentimental fool. 😉

  2. Non-Highlighted Heather

    Ha! I especially loved the prolific finger snapping at the end. Way to stay on that beat white boy. If that made Sophia smile only half as much as it did me, then she’s grinning from ear to ear. Vive’ le jazz hands!

  3. Shirl Grrrl

    Hi Neil, I’ve been lurking for a while but had to comment on this post as it was just so touching that I almost cried. Happy Anniversary and I wish Sophia was there with you.

  4. Charming, but single

    You already know that this makes me swoon. You are the bestest best best best.

  5. Dave2

    Well, hey… that mop is a better dancer than I am! 🙁

  6. better safe than sorry

    happy anniversary!!!
    you are such a romantic, the more i read about the two of you (well, your view of it anyway) the more i hope you will somehow work things about between you. keep the faith.

  7. othurme

    You had me at “Dancing with the stars!”

  8. deezee

    either Sophia’s really short and spins well with a finger atop her head or you need a more extendable mop.

    pretty damn sweet… 😉

  9. Miss Syl

    Nice touch putting on the suit to add to the “wedding mood.”

    I do believe that rug you were dancing on is now cut!

    Happy anniversary, you two.

  10. Nance

    All right, Neil!

  11. jaime

    What a debonair dancer you are. If I ever make it out to California, would you promise me a dance? I’m a fool over any man who can ballroom dance!

  12. jaime

    And, happy Anniversary to you both as well. My hubby and I celebrated our tenth anniversary yesterday on the 12th.

  13. cruisin-mom

    Neil, you have left me speechless (and that’s no easy feat). Jaime, if you ever come to Calif. you are coming to visit me.

  14. Leesa

    I love it 🙂

  15. Roberta

    Tears. Twice in one day. Nicely done, Neil.

  16. Suzette

    This could easily replace simultaneous bi-coastal wine-glass lifting as The Most Romantic Gesture of the Year.

  17. Bre

    That was pretty darn adorable, I must say! What a sweet way to celebrate!

  18. Satomi

    Neil….I’m very impressed. You look very handsome in the suit…(and of course, in everything else). Happy Anniversary!

  19. Tuck

    While a mop certainly does offer advantages, it’s not very good at keeping you warm at night. Then again, it is probably great for after messy sex! And what, no dip? Happy A!

  20. DebR

    That’s so cool! 🙂

  21. Eileen

    She is a lucky mop, I mean woman. That was beyond good.

  22. ainelivia

    Neil, you leave me smiling, that is way beyond cool. Happy Anniversary.

    Why aren’t you President of the US?

  23. Felicity

    That’s it, I am officially having an entire crush on you.
    You fecking Rawk, Neil.

  24. V-Grrrl

    Wow, the tall, skinny blonde you’re dancing with–is that Kate Bosworth??? Sure looks like her.

    Seriously, this is simply the best of the best. Love it. You are my blog crush always.

  25. Rhea

    Very cool. And I liked how you knew how to position the camera so it wouldn’t cut off your head too much.

  26. jenny

    Damn, baby – you clean up nice! Nothing like a man in a sharp suit… 😉

    So, so incredibly sweet – Sophia must be grinning from ear to ear right about now!

  27. 2nd Pearl Past the Post

    Step-by-step you’ll swoon your love.

  28. echo

    that was so sweet.

    i’ve always thought that the most charming trait in men was their ability to make a fool of themselves just to impress women.

    i think you should get extra points for putting on a sharp suit.

    sophia must be very happy today.

  29. tamarika

    Yes indeed – I second that Neilochka-for-President-of-US comment. What fun the world would have. We could make your anniversary a national holiday. I certainly would dance all day for it.

  30. Michelle V - fost-adopt blogger

    This was the first ever blog video I’ve watched till the end. (yea I know I know)…. Congrats on your wedding.

  31. Mr. Fabulous

    Did you ever know that you’re my hero?

  32. Ash

    Oh that was so sweet! My 6 year old son Sebastian says ‘that was cool!’

  33. Mo

    Neil, you are sweetness. I love your blog. I’d marry you for this video, if I wasn’t already married to my honey! I hope Sophia knows how lucky she is. Smooches!

  34. brooke

    Neil, dude, you’re dancing with a mop.

  35. Lauren

    You had to go and make me cry didn’t you, you big lug. Endearingly romantic.

  36. lizardek

    What? No dip at the end?? 😀

  37. communicatrix

    Look at you, Mr. Handsome Suit!

    I’ll bet you made that tough Russian broad all mushy inside! (Hi, Sophia! Mwah!)

  38. ally

    waaaaay cute & definitely awesome!

    happy anniversary neil & sophia!

  39. Alison

    If I weren’t already in love, I would fall in love with you right now. That is the sweetest thing I have seen in a very long time. Happy anniversary, Neil + Sophia.

  40. Becky

    Wow.

    I can’t add a thing to the comments.

    Blog crush. Yeah.

    nicely done, sir.

  41. schmutzie

    Happy Anniversary, indeed!

  42. Mo

    You sweep me off my feet… or mop me off the floor.. or something, dahling.

  43. akaky

    Neil, a very happy anniversary to you and Sophia both. As for the dancing, well…I like your tie.

  44. schrodinger

    Sweet, sappy and sentimental all at the same time – if she doesn’t take you back 100%, she’d be a fool.

  45. Danny

    Oh my God, not since Fred Astaire danced with a broom in “A Damsel in Distress” have I seen such grace demonstrated with a household item. Incredible! And you look damn good in that suit. Can I guess that Sophia helped you pick it out?

    That’s one of my all-time favorite songs. And much better than the one used for the first dance at my first wedding, “I Will Survive.” (We didn’t.)

    Sophia doesn’t think you’re “sentimental enough?” Um, Sophia, if Neil were any more sentimental he’d be one of those Disney-animated birds flying around Cinderella!

    Happy Anniversary to you two crazy kids!

  46. Jack

    A mop- such symbolism. Ok, I won’t wreck the moment. Nice job.

  47. kristen

    Ok Mr. Handsome with dancing feet, who knew? Talk about throwing a curve ball to us all. You are too cute, really.

  48. Deborah

    Happiest Anniversary Wishes!

    Men’s dress suit: $750.00
    Mop: $14.95
    CD, The Andrews Sisters: $11.79

    Dancing with a mop as a wedding anniversary gift to your wife: Priceless

  49. Celina

    Happy Anniversary, Neil, you’re awesome! I love the way you talk about your relationship with Sophia, you’re both very lucky to have each other!

  50. Neil

    Deborah, I think you just gave Sophia a bigger laugh than the video:

    Men’s Dress Suit: $750.00!

    You obviously don’t know me very well, yet.

  51. Jody

    Neil, you mop up pretty damn good if you ask me! That, my dear, is romance! You do know a thing or two! Touching. I love Deborah’s analysis and your retort too. Happy Anniversary even if it is long distance!

  52. michelle

    How unbelievably sweet and thoughtful.

    Happy Anniversary! – and was that a finger snap?? Nice touch.

    Thanks for trying to ease my doubts about the “future” (insert dum dum dum music, or other eerie sound effect). It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who suffered from post-graduate anxiety. -=o)

  53. psychomom

    Applause…..Applause…..
    That was beautiful and incredibly funny at the same time. Thanks and Happy Anniversary!

  54. rdl

    Love it!! so glad i stopped by on Patry’s recommendation.

  55. Jennifer

    Oh my God. I do believe that is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen in my fairly long life.

    And I am SUCH a sucker for romance.

    Bravo.

    A very happy anniversary to you both!

  56. Neil

    Thanks!

    (by the way, I updated wordpress yesterday and it seems to be preventing some from commenting…  it has something to do with your firewall blocking information to me… ridiculous… I have no idea why. Please email me if it does so I can try to figure it out.)

  57. deezee

    oh, and as an add-on, thanks for the crush status. I’m honored……..

  58. Catherine

    We didn’t have dancing at our wedding. If either of us could dance half as well as you, we might have..
    Great video, and happy anniversary!

  59. sarah

    {panties drop to floor}

    you in suit = hawt-ness.

    you in suit dancing with a swiffer = double hawt-ness.

  60. Hilly

    You are so swankalicious, Neil. Love the dancing and the sentiment behind it; how romantic you are inside!

    Now *I* can’t wait til Sophia gets back to you, LOL.

  61. sizzle

    you just keep getting better neil. aw, so sweet & sentimental. ;0 hey, will there be dancing at tequilacon? if so, let’s cut a rug!

  62. tinker

    I had to de-lurk to tell you this is absolutely the most romantic and sentimental anniversary tribute I’ve ever seen…though I haven’t seen many, come to think of it – but THIS is the most romantic of the ones I’ve seen!

    Happy Anniversary to you and your wife.

  63. lux lisbon

    is your closet door broken?

  64. mckay

    ding dang adorable. happy anniversary, you crazy kids.

    i’m rooting for love to win and marriage to last.

  65. Neil

    Lux — Wow, you are observant. I knew Sophia would hate it if I left her closet door open so I quickly shut it, making it go off the “track,” and I haven’t fixed it yet, thinking no one would notice. Wrong!

  66. Viscountess of Funk

    Neil:
    That is the coolest video I’ve seen in a long time. You’re a true romantic!
    Happy Anniversary!!

  67. CrankMama

    I have to point out that your wife is much much cuter than that smelly old mop.

  68. rach

    Good footwork Neilochka, nimble too. You little romantic you!

  69. Dagny

    How cute.

  70. Leah

    Seriously Neil….you are such a catch. I love the dancing…and the song…and so Happy Anniversary to you and Sophia. She’s got herself an awesome guy.

  71. Lela

    You are adorable!!

  72. elle

    Oh, wow. You rock, Neil. I love the prop. I needed a bit of sweetness today. Thanks for sharing yours. Happy Anniversary kids.

  73. justrun

    If that doesn’t [re]seal the deal, I don’t know what will. Very cute.

  74. Alexandra

    That was just super-and even better than Dancing with the Stars which I actually like when I remember to watch!

  75. molly

    So this is what a million female bloggers squeeing at the same time sounds like! Adorable.

  76. s@bd

    Those are some moves.

    (You’re not bad, either.)

  77. sandra

    My god, that’s just so cute. Sophia, DANCE!!!

  78. Pearl

    Neil, this is the type of stuff that makes women swoon. Sophia, did you swoon already? (And, Woody Allen, did you notice this scene? You might want to use the idea in a future film?)

    BTW, which works better as an accessory to your dance partner: Mr. Clean or Spic and Span?

  79. modigli

    Neil, You are such a romantic! What a sweet way to say “happy anniversary”.

    that sophia is one lucky lady!

  80. Lynn

    Neil, you look so nice in that suit! But I have to tell you, you could do a whole heck of a lot better than that mop.

  81. Laura

    Great moves- and with a broom, no less. I’m rooting for you two to get back together again. What a romantic gesture!

  82. Postmodern Sass

    How Sophia could not be on the next plane back to L.A. right now is beyond me.

  83. Albert

    Is this your way of telling Sophia to go soak her head in a bucket of soap water?

    Happy anniversary to both of you!

  84. Fitena

    I ADORED this!
    *grinning from ear to ear*
    Its a sin to be this sweet!

    Fitèna

  85. Dating Dummy

    Neil, women will throw panties at a guy who can dance! Plus it doesn’t hurt that you look pretty darn sharp in that suit. You’re two out of two!

  86. danielle

    You dapper fellow you… Who knew you were such a romantic and that you have such skeeeeells? Maybe I should sign up for some lessons from you before my big day.

  87. Heather B.

    Neil, that was awesome. Really, really awesome.

    Happy Anniversary.

    (so sorry for being late to the party. but it did have me all smiley like)

  88. Alissa

    Sorry I’m late! I loved loved loved it! So romantic.

  89. LilMissIndie

    Neil, that is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen. God bless you and Sophia.

  90. Jessica

    Okay, so I’m WAY late in commenting (been on a bit of a blogging break)….this video? Consider me smitten.

  91. buzzgirl

    Is it wrong to propose to someone on his anniversary with someone else? Probably. But isn’t “wrong” subjective?

  92. Neil

    It depends: Are you a good cook?

  93. psychotoddler

    Can I hire you to be a Go Go Guy on my next tour?

  94. dink(y)

    OMFG! Dancing with a mop! No wonder Hoagie people are saying Neil for President!!
    It was great to meet you on Saturday night at the writing group.

  95. foolery

    Couldn’t watch the video because it’s been removed, I see. But I have a good imagination, and I can imagine a dapper man passionately dancing with a kitchen implement. Why you chose a Cuisinart is beyond my imagination, however. 😉

    You’re a peach, Mr. Neil.

    — Laurie @ Foolery

  96. texasholly @ June Cleaver Nirvana

    ugh. No video…sweet sentiments.

  97. Neil

    I have no idea what happened to the video? They took it down?!

  98. ingrid

    🙁 i missed it. 🙁

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