We often think of dancing in terms of learning new steps, improving coordination, enjoying music and keeping fit. But what if some of the greatest benefits of dancing have very little to do with the movements themselves?
In a world where we are more connected than ever, finding genuine opportunities to meet people and build meaningful relationships can sometimes be surprisingly difficult. Dance offers a simple way to change that. It brings people together through a shared experience, gives us the opportunity to learn something new, enjoy music and, along the way, develop friendships and a sense of belonging.
Whether it's a weekly class, a workshop or a social dance evening, the dance community can offer a welcoming environment where people can build confidence, meet new friends and feel part of something.
But can dancing have an even bigger impact on our lives than we might imagine?
When one of our much-loved couples, Kim and Charmaine, who have supported our Swindon community from the very beginning, recently shared the news of their marriage, we knew we wanted to hear their story.
Their journey is a wonderful example of how something as simple as turning up to a dance class can lead to unexpected friendships, a shared passion and, sometimes, even love.
We caught up with them to talk about bachata, their relationship and what being part of the dance community means to them.
How did your dancing journeys begin?
Charmaine:
I was thinking about trying out Ceroc dancing, and a friend of mine and her husband suggested I try the bachata (Latin Vibes) class - so I decided to eventually give bachata a go.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but having the class just around the corner and knowing someone would be there helped me make the decision. When I arrived, everyone made me feel welcome straight away.
Kim:
My dance journey started with salsa a few years ago in Sydney, Australia. I still remember my very first class. I had never danced before and, as I walked upstairs towards the studio, I saw some amazing dancers and immediately turned around and headed back down!
On the way out, I bumped into another guy coming upstairs. He asked where I was going, and I told him I would never fit in. He turned out to be the owner of the dance school, and he persuaded me to come back in. I've been dancing ever since.
I don't have a fear of many things, but I still find dancing in front of others a little intimidating because I don't consider myself a particularly talented dancer. However, the enjoyment you get from dancing far outweighs that fear.
One of the great things about partner dancing is that you don't need to arrive as a couple. It's a fantastic way for single people to get involved, meet others and enjoy themselves without any pressure.
What made you decide to try bachata?
Charmaine:
I had been single for many years and my daughter had grown up. I had always enjoyed dancing, so I thought bachata would be a great way to get back out there, meet new people and enjoy myself in a safe, friendly environment.
Kim:
When I moved to the UK and eventually settled in Swindon, I wanted to get back into dancing. Unfortunately, the salsa classes weren't particularly consistent.
The Jovial Monk, where the bachata classes first started, was my local pub, so when I heard about the classes, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I was more interested in the social side of dancing. Knowing bachata as well as salsa meant I could dance more at socials, and initially I thought it would complement my salsa. As it turned out, bachata became the style I really fell in love with.
So, how did you two meet?
Charmaine:
We actually both attended your bachata class for the very first time on exactly the same evening. That's where we first met.
Kim:
She was completely my type, although I initially thought I already knew her because I thought our children had gone to the same school. That gave me the perfect excuse to start a conversation!
Because the classes were held in a pub, people often stayed for a drink afterwards. I hadn't really wanted to mix my dancing life with my general social life, as I thought it could get complicated if things didn't work out. So we started by going for a drink as friends.
We probably went to six or seven classes together, followed by a drink each time. Eventually, we arranged to spend an afternoon together doing something completely unrelated to dancing.
We said it wasn't a date... but, looking back, it really was!
Charmaine:
I always looked forward to dancing with him whenever we changed partners in class. I'd find myself waiting for the next rotation so I could get back round to him. I also couldn't wait for the next class to see him again.
Kim:
We first met on 6 February 2024 and officially started dating on 1 April 2024.
Although, perhaps the real turning point was a little earlier!
I remember sending Charmaine details of three hotels in different locations – York, Eastbourne and Cornwall – suggesting, mostly as a joke, that perhaps we should go away together over Easter.
I was really just testing the water to see how she would react.
Later that day, she told me she'd booked one of them. The York option!
What I hadn't quite appreciated was that the York hotel was the only one with just one bedroom, whereas the other two had separate bedrooms.
I suddenly panicked. We weren't dating... were we? It was going to be a six-hour drive, and I remember thinking, what if we don't actually like each other? That's going to be a very uncomfortable six hours home!
Thankfully, we needn't have worried. Since our trip to York on 27 March 2024, we haven't spent a single day apart.
Six months later, we moved in together, and the following year we bought a house together.
From a dance floor to a marriage proposal
Kim:
There is another little part of our York story that makes it particularly special.
During our Easter trip in 2024, there was a beautiful floral centrepiece on the table with some red and blue pieces of wire running through it. We decided to make little rings out of the wire and jokingly put them on each other's fingers.
We laughed and said, "Well, who knows? Perhaps one day, if this all works out!"
As we were leaving, I went back to collect them and kept them.
On 18 December 2025, I got down on one knee and proposed using those very same little wire rings.
Charmaine initially thought I was joking. It was only when I produced the real engagement ring that she realised I was serious and finally said yes!
This was the second marriage for both of us, so we had talked quite a bit about whether we would ever get married again.
At one point, we joked that if we did, we'd go to Las Vegas for an Elvis wedding, with me wearing a white suit and glasses!
We didn't quite end up in Vegas, but I remember thinking that if she was prepared to go along with an idea like that, she was definitely someone I wanted to marry.
We got married on 7 August 2026.
Charmaine:
One of the things that makes our story so special is that we met naturally, through a shared interest and a connection with other people, rather than through online dating.
It was completely unexpected, and I think that's what makes it even more lovely.
What have you learned from dancing together?
Charmaine:
I've wanted to dance since I was a little girl. As I got older, I always imagined how lovely it would be to dance with a partner and have that special connection.
Now I have that with Kim. There's something really lovely about having that familiarity with your own partner and knowing you are going to enjoy dancing together.
Initially, though, I was quite nervous about dancing with other people. Kim had more experience, so I sometimes questioned whether I was good enough.
He would practise with me at home and was incredibly patient. That really helped me overcome my nerves and gradually become more confident.
The friendliness of everyone in the classes also made a huge difference.
Kim:
I danced for around three years in Sydney, but I never went to dance classes looking for a relationship or hoping to meet someone romantically. That certainly changed when I met Charmaine!
One of the things I loved about her from the beginning was how her personality comes through when she dances.
She naturally brings out smiles in people, makes them feel comfortable and has a real ability to connect with others. She's warm, welcoming and someone people find very easy to open up to.
I love seeing that side of her when we're dancing, but even more so that I get to enjoy it every day outside the dance studio.
What would you say to someone thinking about giving bachata or dancing a try?
Kim:
Don't be intimidated. Just come along and experience it for yourself.
We are now more than two years into our journey, and we might never have met if we hadn't both decided to walk through those doors that evening.
We both found the idea of learning to dance a little intimidating, even though we were approaching our 50s. My advice would be to start as early as you can so you can enjoy as many wonderful years of dancing as possible.
But equally, don't wait. You don't need to have your best friends come along with you, and you certainly don't need to arrive with a partner. The community here is so welcoming.
Walking into a room full of people who you assume are all better than you can feel daunting. But everyone has to start somewhere, and you'll quickly realise that people are there to share what they've learned and help each other improve.
We also want to give special credit to the teachers at Latin Vibes. Their personalities make such a difference. They are welcoming, calm, patient and inclusive, which creates an environment where everyone can feel comfortable.
Our advice? Don't wait for the perfect moment. Just come along!
What would you like to say to the dance community?
Kim and Charmaine:
Keep supporting it, and don't give up!
Even though we've progressed quite a bit in our bachata journey, Marcus has always thanked us for continuing to turn up to the beginner classes.
The truth is, we'll happily take any class we can. It's not just about learning new moves or improving our dancing. It's also about supporting the beginners and the teaching team.
We know that everyone involved puts a lot of time and effort into making these classes happen, and some of you travel quite a distance to be here. We'd hate to see that community disappear.
We really appreciate the personalised feedback, the opportunity to practise and embed what we've learned, and the different styles and experiences that each teacher brings.
There is always something new to learn, no matter how long you've been dancing.
Our message is simple: keep turning up, keep supporting each other and keep the community going. It really is something special.
What's next for you both?
Kim and Charmaine:
For now, we'll keep enjoying our bachata classes and continuing to develop our dancing together.
We'd also like to explore salsa as a couple and perhaps return to kizomba at some point.
But we're not in any rush. We're enjoying what we have, building our life together and looking forward to sharing many more experiences on and off the dance floor.
