I still remember my first céilí.
I was nervous.
Really nervous.
The last dance I’d been to was in middle school, and I remember feeling like a wallflower. Later, in ninth grade, I wanted to go to another dance. I asked someone if they’d go with me, and they said no. So I never went.
Walking into my first Irish céilí, all of those feelings came rushing back.
But this time was different.
Mary Lowes smiled and simply said,
“Join us.”
Those two words changed everything.
I had no idea what I was doing.
I went the wrong direction.
I counted my 3s and 7s instead of listening to the music.
And somehow…
I danced the Fairy Reel and the Three-Hand Hornpipe with my dad and Mary.
I danced the Haymakers Jig with John, one of the Lewis & Clark students.
I remember thinking,
“I feel so grown up.”
During the break, one of the musicians, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, sang. Everyone sat on the floor and listened together. I’d never seen a room full of adults do that before. It was beautiful.
There was even a raffle.
On the drive home, I couldn’t stop talking about the music.
My dad smiled and said,
“Wait until you hear the albums I have at home.”
Albums?
The musicians I’d just danced to had albums?
We got home after midnight and put on a Bothy Band record. I stayed up listening until the early hours of the morning.
When I woke up the next day, I only had one question:
“When is the next céilí?”
Looking back now, I realize that evening wasn’t really about learning the Fairy Reel or the Three-Hand Hornpipe.
It was about someone making space for me.
Someone saying,
“Join us.”
More than 35 years later, that’s still why I teach.
I want to be that person for someone else.
Because sometimes all it takes is one welcoming evening…
and two simple words.
“Join us.” 
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I’d love to hear from you.
What was your first experience with Irish music or dance?
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