Fall River Sweethearts Carmen and Bob Dance Through the Decades With Joy

Love took center stage at Dartmouth Mall as Carmen Longstreet and Robert “Bob” Silva twirled, swayed and danced to the music like no one was watching.

Dartmouth Mall hosted its Easter Bunny "Book Bash" and dance party recently. I was spinning some tunes when I noticed this couple from Fall River lost in a moment of pure joy, dancing as if the world had faded into the background. It was a sweet sight, a testament to the enduring power of love.

Carmen and Bob's love story began on the dance floor and has been unfolding for three decades.

"We actually met dancing at the VFW in Westport," Carmen said with a smile. "We met each other for the first time in 1992, I believe on the dance floor, and we started dating each other in 1993. We finally got married in 2007."

For Carmen and Bob, dancing isn't just a hobby, it's the foundation of their relationship.

"Could you say that dancing keeps your relationship strong?" I asked Carmen.

Without hesitation, she replied, "Yes, definitely. We have a lot in common. We enjoy country line dancing and swing dancing."

Their shared love for dancing has brought them closer and filled their relationship with energy, keeping them feeling young and healthy.

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"We'll dance just about anywhere tere is music," Carmen said. "We're spontaneous like that. It's great exercise, and there are a lot of free places, like one of our favorite places, Hometown Tavern, and a lot of local restaurants that have good music."

What's the key to a strong and loving relationship? According to Carmen, it's easy. She and Bob are just "going with the flow".

"We generally get along that way, and when it comes to dancing, we'll dance just about anywhere."

As Carmen and Bob demonstrated on that Saturday morning at the mall, their love is not bound by time or place. Whether they're gliding across a ballroom floor or swaying in the middle of a bustling mall, their connection is strong.

In a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain, the love story of Carmen and Bob serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing shared moments of joy. As they continue to dance through life together, their journey is a testament to the beauty of finding love in unexpected places and holding onto it with all your heart.