A long day at work is over, night skies have chased away the sun and a mostly empty parking lot awaits outside the office, until … loud music, laughter and a blur of brightly colored dresses whirl into range.

Sound familiar? One couple stumbled across the lively world of ballroom dancing much the same as Richard Gere did in the film “Shall We Dance.”

Dr. David Fore recalled an evening that changed all evenings to come.

“I was working at Thomas Medical Center in Daphne, and every afternoon when I left work I would walk by Fred Astaire Studio and look in the window at the dancers taking lessons,” he said. “One day I walked in the door and signed up - still there!”

It’s been six years ago, since he decided to err on the side of ‘why not.’

That single, proactive step has also changed the course of evenings for David’s wife, Royce. The past five years, and the foreseeable future, means for the couple high-heel-clad nights, sequins and rhinestones.

“I’ve always loved to dance, so I got interested when my husband took an interest,” she explained. “After 35 years of doing the ‘sway’ and complaining about it, I figured he would love to dance if he just knew how.”

Mike Powell, the couple’s ballroom instructor and owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Daphne for the past 16 years, said that the Fores took to dancing like ducks to water.

“David and Royce are two of the best students we’ve ever taught,” he said with a hint of satisfaction. “As an instructor, it’s rewarding to work with people who have a sincere desire to be excellent.”

The biggest reward is to see them perform well.

“David and Royce are veteran competitors and show dancers, and are always big crowd pleasers.”

The parents of four and grandparents of three may take part in exhibitions and competitions, but for a couple from Mason City, Ill., they certainly love to spend spare time immersed in Latin dances: rumba, cha-cha, tango and their favorite - the salsa.

Those hips will remain in full swing, according to Royce.

“We will both continue to dance as long as we are still standing,” Royce exclaimed, Latin rhythms ringing in her ears. “It’s so much fun, and it gives us something to do together.

“Our lessons are a mixture of learning, laughing, just having fun … and it's great exercise.”

While David is very busy as a radiologist with Bay Radiology at Thomas Hospital and Royce works as a musician, massage therapist and wellness coordinator for NSAJuice +, they make time for dancing outside of classes.

“There are many opportunities (to dance) in Baldwin County now that dancing has become so popular through the television shows ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’” she said. “David has been known to drag me to Pensacola on a Saturday night at 10 p.m. to dance salsa.”

But David and Royce partake in a plethora of activities. They enjoy travel and outdoor sports, such as hiking and snow skiing.

“Next thing on the agenda - David wants to learn to fly fish, and I want to take art lessons,” Royce reeled.

The Fores have no intention of slowing down, whether that means keeping triple time, or otherwise.