It was 2005 and I was serving in a new parish in Beavercreek, OR, outside of Oregon City. My youngest daughter was staying with me at the parsonage following graduation from Pacific University as she waited to leave for her Fulbright Scholar appointment: a year in Argentina. Hope was a dance minor in college, a Spanish major. One day she announced: “Mom, we should go take Argentine Tango lessons.” Always up for any kind of dance, I said, “OK! If you find a place to go, I’ll come along!” Our first classes were with Steven Payne and Amy PK. Hope soon left for Argentina, but I stayed with tango, found my forever teacher in Alex Krebs, started visiting Argentina as soon and as often as I could and now can’t wait to return again to visit wonderful friends and teachers who’ll forever remain in my heart. But first, I’m most eager (like hundreds of dancers) for the moment when it’s truly safe to open Portland milonga venues once again.