I Hope You Dance (And They Did!)

by Laura Breen Galante

“Be kind, be kind, be kind.” 

That was the daily motto in Pamela Sherry’s kindergarten class at Woodlands Elementary School in the early 2000s. Austin Petersen remembers the class – and his beloved teacher Ms. Sherry – well.

“She was just so nice,” says Austin. “I could do no bad in her room.”

When Austin met his future wife Ashlyn Hendrix (now Petersen) about eight years ago, they got to chatting about school. Ashlyn asked Austin if he had fond memories of any of his teachers, and his answer was a resounding yes – of Ms. Sherry. 

“She was one of those teachers he went back to see year after year as he got older,” says Ashlyn. “It’s really cool that she had that impact on him, and he remembers her daily motto.” 

Austin’s memories about a teacher who made a lasting impression resonated strongly with Ashlyn, who is an educator, herself. Ashlyn is a fourth-grade teacher at Heathrow Elementary School.

Ms. Sherry thought highly of Austin, just as he did of her. She kept in touch with Austin’s family over the years, attending his Eagle Scout celebration and high school graduation party. And, Ms. Sherry had always said she’d love to dance with her former student at his wedding.

This past March, Ashlyn and Austin – both graduates of Lake Mary High School – were married at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park. 

“We sent Ms. Sherry an invitation, but she declined to attend due to personal reasons,” says Ashlyn, adding that she is now retired and in her 80s.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

But Ashlyn didn’t give up on her mission to include Austin’s favorite teacher in their celebration. Because no one really believed a wedding day reunion would actually happen, Ashlyn took it as a challenge to arrange. 

“I needed one more try,” she says. “We didn’t buy gifts for each other, but I really wanted to give Austin that gift.”

On the morning of the wedding, while sitting in the hairdresser’s chair, Ashlyn reached out to Ms. Sherry one more time. 

“I messaged her, and she was very kind about it,” says Ashlyn.

As luck would have it, Ms. Sherry lives very close to the wedding venue and responded that her daughter happened to be in town and could bring her to surprise Austin.

 “She said she would love to come to dance with Austin,” says Ashlyn, who kept the update a surprise from the guests and the groom.

The Big Reveal 

After the couple’s first dance and the toasts, Ashlyn went back onto the dance floor. Austin seemed confused until the bride announced that someone was there who was very special to the groom. As Ms. Sherry walked onto the dance floor, everyone gasped, even Austin.

“I thought, ‘Ashlyn really pulled it off – it’s Ms. Sherry!’” says Austin. 

The two shared a delightful moment 22 years in the making as they swayed to Lee Ann Womack’s country-pop song, “I Hope You Dance.”

“It was such a special moment to be with Austin,” says Ms. Sherry, “and indeed such a treasured memory, too.”

The reunion also meant a lot to Austin’s parents, Jeff and Marcie Petersen of Lake Mary, who had kept in touch with their son’s teacher for more than two decades. 

“It was a very sweet moment for everyone,” adds Ashlyn. “Austin is a very social guy and if you make a good impression on him, he really cherishes those relationships.” 

Creating a full-circle moment at their wedding was a beautiful gift from Ashlyn that Austin will treasure for the rest of his life.