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Sherry, 38, a veterinary nurse in Oakland County, said she was not planning on attending the dance, but her girlfriend talked her into it at the last minute. "I was there to be with friends and have fun," she said. "I didn't plan on meeting anyone."

Don, 38, said he did not attend the dance with hopes of meeting someone, but was just looking to have a good time. "I just wanted to dance. When you find that person, you aren't looking," he commented.

Don said he noticed Sherry dancing and was immediately interested in her. He waited for her to finish talking to everyone before he asked her to dance.

"I was a social butterfly," said Sherry, who is also part of a team that runs the Country Christian Singles Dance in North Branch. "Don was trying to get my attention, but couldn't because I was all over the place."

After their first dance, Don asked Sherry to dance again, and she politely refused. "She told me she always dances the last dance with God," said Don. "I didn't understand, so I left."

"He thought it was an excuse," said Sherry. "I always dance the last dance by myself, with God."

After a couple of months, Don returned to the dance and was quickly spotted by Sherry. "I was actually going to meet someone else, not knowing Don would be there. He caught my eye as soon as he walked through the door," she said.

Eventually, Don and Sherry were back in each others arms on the dance floor, talking and getting to know one another. Sherry soon found out that there were some things about Don she did not like very much, such as his height (Don is 6'1, and Sherry is 4'11), he lived in Brown City (Sherry lived in Lapeer at the time), and the fact that he did not attend church.

Sherry added that despite their differences, two of her close girlfriends said Don was the guy for her.

In an attempt to get to know him better, Sherry invited Don to the singles dance at Country Christian Church, the church she attended in North Branch. They began going out with other people, and got to know each other in a group setting. Soon, Don was attending church regularly with Sherry.Ê

"I started going to her church and changing my views on some things," he said. "We connected with God together."

On May 11, 2007, Don proposed to Sherry at the Dare to Dream Again Singles Dance. He tried to get most of the people who were there the night they met back there for the proposal; his niece and her fiancŽe were also in attendance. According to Don, Sherry, who had been married before, was both surprised and excited.

"I got on my knee, pulled the ring out of my pocket, and she walked away," said Don. "I think she wanted to grasp the moment. She soon came back and said, 'Yes.'"

Don and Sherry were married on November 3, 2007.

The Dare to Dream Again Singles Dance is held at the Center Building in Lapeer on the second Friday of each month. It was started 14 years ago as a way to get people to meet and have a good time.

"It's not like a bar scene," said the dance coordinator, Tammy Wheeler. "There's no alcohol or smoking, which makes it nice." Wheeler added that they are trying to get more young people to attend the dance.

The dance lasts from 8 p.m. to midnight at a cost of $8 that includes music, food, snacks, and beverages.

"Even if you aren't looking to meet someone, it's a good place to have fun," Wheeler said.

"You don't have to worry about anything," said Don. "It's a big support group. You're not just there for laughs, but for support and people to talk to."

For more information, or to volunteer at the dance, call Tammy Wheeler at (810) 664-9945.