When I was in 3rd grade, seemingly out of nowhere there were these after-school programs that each student could choose from. I’m not sure what the other programs were, because the moment I saw aerobics listed I was sold.

It was so exciting. I’d already been doing The Jane Fonda Workout in my den, but to do a live class was unimaginable.

Before, I was relying on good ol’ Jane in her shiny lavender leotard and leg warmers to guide me through the exercises, but it got a little boring because the VHS cassette only had one routine.

The live class was better than my wildest dreams.

I walked into my school gym, sneakers squeaking on the floor as the scent of polyurethane filled my nose. In the distance, I saw her… the aerobics instructor.

I’m so mad that I can’t remember her name, but what I do remember is her bleach blonde hair styled into an elegant coif that resembled a cotton candy cloud. She, like Jane, wore a shiny lavender leotard, but what Jane lacked is what would stick out in my mind 37 years later – a thick, stretchy, purple belt with a gorgeous butterfly buckle.

I wanted to BE her.

So as soon as she told us to gather around, I was front and center, ready to stretch, kick, rotate and pulse my way to being more like her.

And then… then she turned on the boom box.

The joyous sound of bongos burst through the speakers.

Then two men began harmoniously singing of a woman they loved.

🎶 Ceceliaaaa…you’re breaking my heart…you’re shaking my confidence baby….whoa Ceceliaaaa….I’m down on my knees… I’m begging you please to come home…come on home. 🎶

This magical aerobics instructor introduced me to Simon & Garfunkel and I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH.

Teara and I would walk around singing this song at 8 and 10 years old, not knowing that it was really about a woman sleeping around on the poor guy.

Teara and I were so dumb and naive that even though these were the words, we still didn’t catch on:

🎶 Making love to Ceciliaaa up in my bedroom. I got up to wash my face..when I come back to bed someone’s takin’ my place…🎶

Lol knew how oblivious we were so she let us play her Simon & Garfunkel album with that song on it.

We were shocked at what they actually looked like. Paul Simon in his poorboy cap and pornstache and Art Garfunkel with his white man’s afro had us laughing every time we looked at the cover. They were like real life, demented-looking Bert & Ernie – certainly not the dreamboats I was imagining 😳🤣

I just realized I probably can’t remember her name because after playing Cecelia for us, I think I only referred to her as Cecelia. I think I thought she was Cecelia. What a dummy 🤣