TAMPA, Fla. — Dancing took Orlando Peña all over the world, but the pandemic is what brought him home to Tampa. 

The importance of family has allowed Peña to come full circle in his life and his mother is grateful.

“Me super, super happy,” said mother Mercedes Gonzalez.

About this time last year, Peña called New York home. He owned a house and a successful dance studio. For more than two decades that was his life. But when the virus hit, Peña took a step back.

“You reflect and you realize the important things which nourish those things that you love,” Peña said.

He wanted to be closer to his immediate family. Then, everything sort of fell into place.

“The universe wanted me here, to sell the studio and my house at the same time,” Peña said. “It was like ‘Oh Boy, it’s time.’”

Now, Peña is starting over. He’s opening a new dance studio, Ovations Dance Academy of Tampa. The grand opening is scheduled for June 3. His nephew, Nicolas Gonzalez, has been helping to get the place ready. And it’s these moments that have brought their family even closer.

“It’s really fun,” said Nicolas Gonzalez, Peña’s nephew. “We’ll go to the beach and we’ll have salads sometimes or we eat out.”

Sometimes, just flying in or talking over the phone won't do. Sometimes, a family needs a little bit more.

“Now, it’s like, let’s enjoy life, let’s enjoy family life, but still do what I love, have a balance,” Peña said. 

It’s said, “home is where the heart is.” Peña certainly thinks so. Their family has been grounded by the pandemic and it’s now dancing with love.