Senior Center lovebirds find romance in dance
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

IN STEP- Local residents Connie Smith and Arsenio Saenz share the floor Wednesday at the Simi Valley Senior Center. The couple met at the center three years ago and began dating. They've rarely missed a dance since.

Arsenio Saenz sat in his chair, barely able to control himself.

As the pianist on the stage began playing the next jazz standard in his repertoire, 85yearold Saenz couldn't help but shuffle his feet and wiggle his arms . . . all the while waiting for his favorite dance partner, 73year-old Connie Smith, to get up and join him on the dance floor.

"It's like he's got ants in his pants," Smith said, amused. "He loves to dance, but I just can't keep up with him."

It was three years ago in March that Saenz and Smith first met in this same multipurpose room at the Simi Valley Senior Center. Since then, they've come in every Wednesday and Friday during lunchtime to dance. This week, they came to celebrate Valentine's Day, too.

"I never danced before I met him," Smith said. "I would see him, and he kept asking 'Will you just dance with me . . . just once?' And now here we are."

Photos by DARLEEN PRINCIPE/Acorn Newspapers

Smith moved to Simi Valley from Granada Hills seven years ago. Her husband passed away after 37 years of marriage, and she was suddenly left alone in her home. Moving to Simi Valley was the right thing to do, she said, so she could be closer to her children. The move also brought her to the senior center.

Saenz, who has lived in Simi Valley for more than 50 years, is a cancer survivor and a World War II veteran who was once stationed in France. He recalls "shaking it up," even back then, to all kinds of music. He could just as easily bang on a bucket with two sticks and dance to that, he said.

Although Saenz' wife passed away after 64 years of marriage, that didn't keep him from maintaining an active lifestyle.

He uses a punching bag and a treadmill at home. He also attends the Friday night parties at the senior center.

"I've been dancing for 50 years," he said, still moving around in his chair. "But actually, I'm still 16."

Today, the pair seem to complement each other perfectly. Besides dancing, they love to take walks together, share meals and watch sports. Since they've met, Smith has lost 22 pounds from all the walking and dancing they've done. And their families are happy they've found each other, Smith said.

"We just hang out together," she said. "We do our thing."

Saenz said that having Smith for a dance partner is "perfect."

"I'm very happy," he said, gently pinching Smith on the cheek. "Life is beautiful."

After making Saenz wait just a few moments longer, Smith takes him by the hand and motions for him to join her on the dance floor. Saenz stands up quickly, with the sheer excitement of a teenager.

"I'll tell you one thing's for sure," Smith said. "I've never been loved as much as I'm loved by him."

As soon as they find the right spot in the center of the room, they dance.