Why is it that you never realize how much you truly love something until it�s gone?

On Tuesday, May 26 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, a crowd of over 11 000 was thinking that very thought as they gathered to witness a night of skating history. Underhill and Martini - One Last Time was a culmination and a finale to a career that spanned over twenty years and brought medals and memories not only to Barb and Paul themselves, but to countless fans across the world.

And a fitting finale it was. With a superstar cast that included Robin Cousins, Todd Eldredge, Brian Boitano, Scott Hamilton, Savard-Gagnon and Bradet, Brasseur and Eisler, Bereznhya and Sikharulidze, Lu Chen, Yuka Satao and Lucinda Ruh, along with rising star Tamara Palaniuk, and of course the stars of the night, Barb and Paul, the skaters put together a night of magic sure to be remembered by all present.

Choreographed and directed by the incomparable Sandra Bezic, One Last Time was a seamless mix of reflection (voiced by Barb and Paul in recorded interludes), live music, and skating. Highlights of the night included Lucinda Ruh�s other-wordly Fantasie Impromptu, complete with five exquisite combination spins; Brian Boitano, skating to Michael Burgess� live rendition of The Music of the Night; Brasseur and Eisler�s energy-packed Ballroom Blitz, and Lu Chen�s ethereal Butterfly Lovers. Surprise guests Brian Orser and Kurt Browning livened up the night with unannounced appearances, and eight-year-old Tamara Palaniuk�s delightful skate to Fiddler on the Roof gave Canadian fans hope for the future of our women.

Barb and Paul brought down the house, garnering standing ovations for every one of their six performances. Unchained Melody and When a Man Loves a Woman were as romantic and sizzling as always; My Life, My Love, My Friend - written and sung especially for the occasion by Canadian singer-songwriters Amy Sky and Marc Jordan - was appropriately touching, and their final solo to As the Days Go By was immaculate. They did not skate as two people - they skated as one, with a perfectly seamless quality that can only be achieved through twenty long years of talent, dedication, and togetherness.

The show�s finale, skated to The Dreamer and the Dream (another original song by Amy Sky) was the perfect blend of triumph, joy, and spirit, and when Barb and Paul took their final bow, not only was Barb in tears, but many audience members were as well.

�I told Scott that winning Worlds [1984] was the highlight of our career ... this night beats it by far,� a teary-eyed Barb told the audience at the show�s conclusion. One Last Time was indeed a show for the ages, and a fitting close to a magnificent career.