In the Fall of 1992, Mary was determined to expand her passion for dance beyond tap, jazz, and ballet by learning the Houston Style Texas Two-Step through a class organized and instructed by the Tina Hicks Dance Company in Christiansburg. Needing a partner equally as dedicated, she took the beginner’s four-week-long course four times—each with a different partner. One of those dancing partners was Garrett, who quickly fell just as in love with the artform as she. By the Spring of 1993, they had progressed to taking intermediate and advanced classes adding various styles such as Waltz, Line Dancing, both East Coast and West Coast Swing, and more. Even taking workshops and private lessons with Country Dance Masters Mary Hoedeman and David Baggett. Their natural chemistry and coordination transferred off the dancefloor, where their partnership quickly flourished and has resulted in a loving marriage of 25 years today.

Garrett thrives on the personal interaction and engagement when working 1-on-1 with dancers of all skill levels, while Mary enjoys crowd work and the instructional process of a group, making their combined strengths a dynamite team for those interested in the art of dance. Mary has devoted nearly a decade to being a dance instructor, both with the Tina Hicks Dance Company and under her own, Saddle Light Dance Company, offering her services and knowledge across the New River Valley and in parts of West Virginia. Her hometown of Giles has supported her the most, continuing to be her biggest group of dance students in her entire career.

After 20 years off the dancefloor, Mary and Garrett returned to the dancing scene via the Handmade Music School and the Floyd County Store in the Fall of 2024. Under Stephanie Wolfe and Todd Burris, the two rekindled their love for dancing and instruction and have become regulars at Honky-Tonk Thursdays.