a night to remember

...and it was. "A Night to Remember," put on by Evangelical Free Church in Midland, was one of the best dances I've ever been to. It's an annual spring event for people with disabilities, age 18 and older.

I was really, really nervous to be finally freelancing for The Midland Daily News - it's something I've been hoping to do for a long time. My friend Neil was a freelancer there for about a year, and left some pretty big shoes to fill. Another good friend, Sean, also shot an assignment for the MDN recently that turned out really well, and I didn't want to screw up.

Getting lost for 45 minutes wasn't quite what I had in mind for my big Midland debut. When I made it to Evangelical Free Church, I was disoriented and terrified. The building is huge! I walked in, carrying a big, beautiful Nikon D3 (courtesy of the MDN office - yahtzee!) and realized within ten minutes I'd forgotten where its aperture adjustment was.
...nothing like a good old technical issue to bring you back down to earth, eh?

After a few frantic text messages, I sheepishly found the aperture control and set to work - which didn't end up being much like work at all. The attendees of the dance were full of joy, and it was contagious.

Rick Blevins, 52, of Midland, and Ashley Eastman, 20, also of Midland, move across the dance floor Saturday during the 5th annual "A Night to Remember" dance at Midland Evangelical Free Church.

Rhonda Haley, 44, of Midland, dances with Thomas Garner, 42, to the song "Amazed" by Lonestar, Saturday during the 5th annual "A Night to Remember" dance at Midland Evangelical Free Church. Haley is Garner's caregiver. r"My guys love to dance," Haley said, "We come every year because we love to dance."

Weldon Marky, 46, of Midland sings along to tunes pumping from the speakers of Midland Evangelical Free Church's gym Saturday night during the 5th annual "A Night to Remember" dance. Marky especially enjoyed dancing to "Twist and Shout."

I love you," whispered Matt Cross, 24, of Midland, to his girlfriend, Maggie Wolberton, 19, of Midland, Saturday night during a slow track at the 5th annual "A Night to Remember" dance at Midland Evangelical Free Church. The couple has been together a year and 10 months, and this is their first year attending the event. "I love you too!" Wolberton replied.

I made this last frame a few minutes before leaving, and was really glad I'd stayed for most of the dance. Matt and Maggie were a lovely couple; their bond was pretty touching.

Thanks for looking!

(photos copyright The Midland Daily News)