Record Steppers

Although daddy-daughter dances are held throughout the year [Earlier: Daddy-Daughter (Never Dirty) Dancing; Daddies, Daughters, Danger and Love], it is the run-up to Valentines Day that has become the time to make the big statement. In the spirit of the big love, there was a gathering of 1,000 in Notre Dame, Ind., And this would seem a pretty big deal until one drifts south to the town of Frisco, Texas, (a bit north of Dallas, slightly southwest of McKinley) where 6,000 cowpops and cowgirls kicked up their boots together, setting the record as far as we can tell, although nominations for bigger celebrations are welcome.

Daddies their little girls.

Dancing for Tears

It's the holiday season and time to cry. So let us induce those tears with two stories of dancing.

First, all Chattanooga (Tenn.) Nola Beth wanted from Santa was one dance with her Iraq-stationed dad. Father and daughter got their ballroom dance, a memory for both when he returns to danger and she returns to life without him.

Second, there are the fathers filling out the corps as dancers with the Longview (Texas) Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker — not really a dad-friendly title, but a classic, nonetheless. They say they do it for their kids, but it's pretty clear the fathers are getting as much or more out of it for themselves.

Daddies, Daughters, Danger and Love

It's all about the danger. Swimming. War. Even dancing.

Imagine how wonderful it would be to hear your daughter say, ""This week, it's all about my dad." Those are the words of Coral Rebana, 10, whose dad returned from his third tour in Iraq in time to surprise her as a date for her first dance, a Montana daddy-daughter gala.

Consider how wonderful it is for Longmont (Colo.) daddy David Holt whose daughter Emily, 9, crowed to a reporter, "… [father-daughter synchronized swimming] is really awesome, because — well, you just have the chance to show off to the other dads what your dad can do."

No guts, no glory. Or maybe it's just all about the love.

Dancing Daddy and Daddy-Daughters

What is the point of being a father alone? You may get a certain amount of acclaim out of doing something in the category of "best dad to..." But compare that to the joy of doing it with your child.

In this case, DANCE. First, the winner of the just completed 2008 Hallmark Daddy Dance Off Contest, Ronnie Bell. And then, some dads kickin' it with their babies.