Tango Soulmates

What is it that makes these very few people special partners to us? I've been trying to understand why I am drawn to a particular dancer as opposed to another with seemingly similar skills. There are good leaders out there who, alas, we just don't seem to be able to connect with on a deeper level, and then there are the ones whose sole purpose for the duration of the tanda seems to be making us the center of their dance.

I am coming to the realization that certain people's style and feel for tango, in combination with the chemistry of course, simply bring out the best in us as dancers. Is it a matter of compatability, just like in real-life relationships? All of us have noticed that the way we dance can be very different depending on the leader, almost as if belonging to different people, both in terms of skills and style. These few special partners give us the power of their lead, yet grace us with the right amount of freedom for expression. And weave into our expression in turn. The woman. The leader. Then together. Like a special conversation, an aria, or a Shakespearean dialogue...

In his arms I move in a way I never knew I could and I feel the symphony of movements with every fiber of my body. The music reaches my very soul and resonates with my being, now I am truly discovering it as if for the first time and it becomes an intricate part of me. I perform embellishments I never thought I could or was even aware of - now they are drawings of a feeling and not just a spice to my movements. In other words, I dance my best dance. It's light, effortless, I have never felt more in my element before (who said our most natural movement is walking?!) Not for a second I feel timed, controlled, confined or corrected. Rather, I am allowed to be truly myself. No, not allowed. Encouraged! All so naturally, he brings out my true self through his movements, the look in his eyes, his breathing, his heartbeat, through his presence in that very moment. It feels as if we carry the world's existence upon this perfect connection.

And then I understand why people say that when you dance tango there is no past, no future. Everything other than the present disappears in the background. There is only now. Somehow this person makes me open up completely. And bloom, yes, like a flower. I can hear Nora Jones's voice...
Yes, there are these dancers who reach and turn on that light inside of us. Our lost tango other halves who we will always be searching for...

I was sharing these chaotic thoughts with a good friend of mine and after patiently hearing me out, he said: Honey, are you sure you are talking about dancing?
I had to laugh, but I hope this makes at least some sense to someone... Or am I in this too deep...

Xoxo, Malena