Dancing the night away with dad
CENTER TWP — Community Alliance Church pulled out all the stops to help fathers create lasting memories with their daughters at the first Daddy/Daughter Dance in the church’s history.
Tiaras, princesses and dancing abounded with 70 girls and their fathers in attendance.
Joe Erdos, director of children’s ministry at the church, said he was inspired to hold a father/daughter event when he took on his role on the church staff.
“My oldest daughter is grown now, but when we attended church in Ohio, we had a traditional father/daughter dance,” Erdos said. “My fondest memories are attending with my daughter; it’s one of those memories that they will never forget and it could be the same for others.”
Tim Shingleton and his daughter, Emery, had a night on the town before the dance. He assisted his 6-year-old in painting her nails, then stopping at the Claire’s store in the Clearview Mall for jewelry to add to her ensemble.
“We’ll make a night of it,” he said.
He was excited to attend the dance, as his daughter’s enthusiasm is infectious.
“I’d go no matter what ... I’m very excited because Emery is very excited,” Shingleton said. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to relate to a 6-year-old girl. The fact that she’s excited to do something with just me ... I can count the number of times on one hand it’s not the whole family at a special occasion.”
Emery said this was her first dance, and that she and her dad are both good dancers.
“I’m excited because some of my friends will be there. I want to see Princess Anna,” she said.
Erdos and community pastor Dave Fetherlin teamed up with dozens of volunteers to make the event come to life. Valet parking, coat checkers and a king and queen were present to make the night special.
According to Erdos, the dance wasn’t exclusive to CAC families. Members of North Main Street Church of God and students at Broad Street Elementary School were invited to participate.
“It’s become more than just CAC,” he said. “It’s now a community event, which is what I wanted from the start.”
Disney princesses from Crossroads Dance Academy led and instructed the attendees in cutting a rug beneath twinkling lights. Fathers were presented with a message from the dance’s king, Marc Santom, while daughters were read a story about how special they are in God’s eyes by the queen, Tina Santom.
Erdos said the event is a success so long as memories are made.
“I think girls walking away with memories they won’t forget makes it a success, the men coming to know or continue a relationship with Jesus, and making memories with their daughters,” he said.
Shingleton said Emery is his oldest daughter, and bringing her to the dance for one-on-one time is important.
“It’s a chance I get to know her and she can get to know me. If I had her sister with us, it’d be another family event,” he said. “You know, some day I’ll be dancing with her at her wedding, and I don’t want that to be the first time we dance together. Also, the only time I wear a suit is to a funeral. I want her to know she’s very special and know she’s worth putting in this effort.”
