Goodbye Lan! We Love You
For friends at Dork Dancing, Lan’s story is an important one. She is a central part of our community. We first met Lan when she first joined Dork Dancing back in June, in its infancy, within the first two weeks of dancing out in the beach. Ever since dancing that day, she has stuck with us. Dancing again, and again. For Lan, she never was one to dance. So her decision to join us at #dorkdancing, and really enjoy it, surprised her. This was something new.
Not only did she love dancing freely, but she grew close to other dork dancers, actively investing in those relationships. Lan joined us out on the beach most likely between 40-50 times. She was one of the centerpieces, one of the reasons Dork Dancing has grown into what it is today. Thats why when we heard the news that she was moving to Malaysia, many of us had a difficult time believing it.
We did the best we could to enjoy our last weeks and days together, although no amount of shared time would feel like enough. None of us wanted her to go, but we share an understanding it’s what’s best for her. Like many departures, it marks a transition full of mixed emotions. Happy and sad. Excited and concerned. Nervous and ready.
Lan’s last full day in Da Nang happened to fall on New Years Eve. Her last dance on the beach with us was something special. Meaningful for her and us.
When we played “Final Song,” it hit us. We got together as a group, swayed back and forth, and chanted Lan, Lan, Lan! We put her in the middle of a circle and jumped up and down. Bence then put on another song, for her, a goodbye song. And things got emotional. Again we got into a circle, swaying slowly. Lan was crying, Ethan was crying, Thai was crying, and a number of other dancers too. It was a sad moment, but a beautiful one. Beautiful cries, of love, are our favorite kinds of tears.
We did one of our big group hugs, 10+ people with Lan in the middle. It really was a moment. For strangers to come together and feel so close and supportive like this, it’s something powerful. It reminds us what #dorkdancing can do to bring people together, build powerful relationships, and inspire beautiful moments. Strangers dancing on the streets. With time, close friends.
Moments like this lift us up and motivate us to continue.
The day that Lan left Da Nang, on January 1st 2021, was another special moment for our community. Bence came up with the giving idea to make a surprise for Lan. He planned for us to show up at the airport, on her way out, to say bye again and dance with her one more time; to show her our love and bid her a proper farewell.
Lan walked up the stairs to head to checkout. Around the corner she heard some familiar sounds. Music. There, a group of 9 friends. She was surprised. Bence’s plan worked.
Lan joined the group, welcomed with hugs and laughter. Together, in front of the airport entrance, in the corner, a group of dorky friends danced. Not one song, two, three, or four. Five and then more. We kept going because Lan had time. Dancing at the airport was something different for us and we all felt good about being with Lan one last time.
Saying goodbye to Lan was bitter sweet. It was amazing for us to witness her transformation from a shy stranger who never danced to a dorky, outgoing loving friend of many. While she may be leaving the Da Nang community physically, her connection with us is the same. She has plans to return. We hope to see her soon. In a matter of days, in fact. Next time, dancing together online!
