I may not get to see Maria dance again for another year, men are not allowed in the Belly Dancing classes, and I wouldn’t think to try and go.

Everything about this was a surprise to me. I was surprised when Maria decided to take the class, surprised how much she loved every minute of it, surprised at how hard she practiced for it, and thought about it, surprised at how much she loved and respect the other women in the group, surprised at how much she respected and listened to the teachers, surprised at how comfortable she was showing her belly to strangers, surprised at how much she learned, how often she practiced, how few doubts she had, and surprised at the ease and grace she showed tonight, I knew she was anxious about tonight – she wrote about her panic attack on her blog.

It was just the right thing for her to do, and her instincts took her where she needed to go.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect tonight.

Yet when I went to see her dance, it was the most natural place in the world for her to be, she was a bit nervous and then settled in, she was beaming the whole night.

It just seemed to me that this was where she belonged, empathetic women with attitude and strength and passion for what they do. Just like her.

I would not have thought of Belly Dancing in this way, but having seen it, I can say I love the music, I love the attitude, I love the dance.

I sat and watched it for three and a half  hours, took 150 photos, and loved every second of the dancing. I was sorry to leave. There was joy and purpose and pride in that room.

Maria is surprised as well, I think, still trying to figure it out. I told her there are some things one just has to accept. She’s a Belly Dancer now.