Prom.
I’d like to point out something with regard to that word. Namely, the letter count. It’s a four-letter word, and for good reason. Oh, sure. Scoff if you must. And then we’ll talk after you’ve taken two teenage girls shopping for formal-wear. It’s no picnic, my friends.
Did you go to your prom? I went twice: once as a freshman and again as a junior. Shopping for the dress my junior year proved to be quite challenging: do you have any idea how hard it is to find a maternity prom dress? Dang. near. impossible. Still, it can be done. And because it can be done, you’d think that my task this past weekend should have been a breeze to accomplish. Yeah, not so much.
On Saturday morning, I set out with my 17 and 14 year-olds. We were in search of the perfect dresses: a prom dress for Torri and an eighth grade promotion dress for Kennedy. Considering the fact that we live in Arizona’s second largest city, I assumed that this would be a relatively simple errand. I figured we’d hit one mall–perhaps having to visit multiple stores–and walk out with two beautiful dresses in hand. That’s not quite how it went down. Instead, I heard an endless chorus of complaints: too big here, too small there, wrong color, unflattering cut, the darting pokes out, not enough poof, drab, dull, downright ugly.
Sigh. And I thought I was hard to please.
Because we came home empty-handed we “get” to repeat the whole experience next weekend. Please pray for me.
There is a lighter side to this episode, though. That is, the proposal. Apparently, extravagant prom proposals are the next big thing. Who knew? Though I don’t remember with certainty, I feel fairly confident in saying that both of my prom dates mumbled something to the effect of wanna go to prom? in between bites of a sandwich during lunch break at school. Torri’s story is much cooler than that.
They were out of school Friday. This guy (probably not fair of me to post his name on my blog, so he shall be referred to as the guy from here on out) invited Torri to go spelunking–or cave exploring for us ignorants. So, off she went, completely oblivious to the scheme the guy had hatched with his friends. When they arrived, they all hiked to the mouth of the cave where–lo and behold–they discovered that the guy “forgot” Torri’s headgear-light-thingamajig, so Torri and the guy headed back to his truck to retrieve it. Having fetched the light, they went back to the cave where Torri promptly noticed the smell of smoke. The guy, though, convinced her that she was imagining things and coaxed her into the cave, where she saw this:
Is that not totally swoon-worthy? Seriously, I imagine that would put even a few marriage proposals to shame. Torri assures me that this prom proposal thing is serious business these days. Girls whose dates just come out and ask (in between sandwich bites, I suspect) are left sorely disappointed while tales of the most creative proposals break Facebook records for the most likes.
It’s a brave new prom out there, my friends.
Tell me…where any of your prom dates forward thinking in their prom proposals? Or were yours suspiciously like mine, reeking of salami and all?
Okay, that just put my marriage proposal to shame.
I went to prom junior and senior year (only juniors and seniors were allowed to attend). Both were, “Wanna go?” type proposals!
I asked my date! A former boyfriend and I had an agreement that we would be each other’s backup prom dates,if needed. A guy asked me that I had no desire to go with, so I panicked and said I already had a date. So then I had to ask my friend. But it was great because he knew all my friends (he lived in our town until 7th grade, then moved, but stayed in touch) and he liked to dance and there was no pressure and no expectations. I had a really great prom.
I think this proposal stuff is outrageous. In the end, it is just a dance, and if I a girl has had an extravagant prom proposal, what will she expect from a far more serious marriage proposal? I’ve heard stories of helicopter rides and things like that, which is just absurd, if you ask me. But maybe my inner grumpy old lady is talking.
Not grumpy old lady at all; a helicopter ride is absurd indeed! Your prom story reminds me of that Cameron Diaz/Julia Roberts movie where Julia was all set to marry her bff based on a if-worse-comes-to-worst pact, but then along comes Cameron at the last minute.
my date for my senior prom baked some cupcakes with rice paper letter stuck to the bottom. He had a random adult hand me a letter that said will you go to prom with me and a plate of cupcake. I had to unwrap each cupcake and find the letter and figure out who had asked me.
Very exciting then.
That is a super cute idea. I seriously had no idea that extravagant prom proposals were so prevalent!
Please tell me you are kidding? PROM? Proposals? Oh my. (I sort of love it!! but oh, the PRESSURE ON THESE KIDS!!) I’ve got a few years until I have to worry about this…amazing, how I’m constantly learning in this parenting gig! YIKES!
You and me both…
I think that adorable! I agree though that I think it’s crazy pressure on the kids to make it something memorable! Seems like everything always has to be bigger and better these days…
Oh my goodness! I actually asked my prom date to go with me! (Technically my boyfriend from another school was going to take me but I broke up with him the week of prom. Found a replacement, no prob!) :)
Steph
This was very much the thing when I was in high school (I graduated 13 years ago). I think it was primarily a Mormon kid thing then. They have definitely become more outrageous though!
Way to go Torri!! You’re right about the prom invite being a creative process these days. My sister’s son (a shy senior) is helping to coach the girls soccer team for his senior project. He wrote “prom?” on an old soccer ball & kicked it out to his lucky lady a few weeks ago and she accepted.
Definitely swoon-worthy. I’d like to think that some really great moms are guiding their sons to be more creative than the “wanna go with me” invites that were the norm back in my day!
Really looking forward to seeing the dresses – if you survive the next outing. ;-)
I don’t even know how to react to this… “The guy” is clearly very creative and romantic… But I almost feel like it’s just too much. I’m not sure why, though.
I think the last time the man and I went to prom he didn’t even ask. He just assumed we would go.
Perhaps I’m just jealous!!!
Love it! Yeah, I was asked after band practice…not too exciting!
So, did you find a dress?
We did. Two dresses. A picture post is in the works ;)