Prom 1979

I thought I'd write a little post about my own prom, as my daughter's (and the season in general) got me thinking about it.  There isn't a great deal to say about it.  I used to do "people I've known" haikus here and HERE is the one I wrote about my prom date. 

First, let me say that I loved high school.  I had many wonderful friends, got good grades, and participated in a number of fun and enriching activities.  But I was definitely a late bloomer.  When most of my friends were up to all kinds of things with their boyfriends, I was just having little crushes on cute guys that I could never imagine leading to anything else.  Had my first kiss at 15, with a boy on a bus after a choir concert.  Didn't have my first real boyfriend until the summer between my Junior and Senior year.  Didn't have sex until I was almost 18 and had started college.  None of these things are terribly out of the ordinary or super late occurances.  But I was just running a little behind for that particular time and place. 

So, my prom.  I hadn't had any particular interest in going, but my Junior year I somehow won tickets in a math contest.  Very odd because I am not good at math.  Anyway, I had tickets, so I decided to ask a boy I'd had a crush on for quite some time.  His name was Chris and we had a lot of classes together.  We were friends.  I cornered him one day after his volleyball practice and asked him if he'd go with me.  I swear, the rubbery smell of sneakers that have been scraping on the gym floor still makes me thing of him :-)  I was so happy when he said yes.

One thing about my prom that was very different from my daughter's is that we didn't go in huge groups.  We went with one other couple...the guy (who would in a few months be that fabled first real boyfriend) and his date gave Chris and I a ride.  The prom itself was fun.  I know lots of people have strong feelings about it...it was awful or it was magical.  Mine was fun.  I was with a friend, he was a sweet, smart, funny guy.  He didn't like me the way I liked him, but that wasn't tragic to me.  I had the hope of youth on my side :-)  I was going to post a picture of us, but I couldn't fine one!  I have my mom on the case and if she finds my prom picture I will post it.  I can tell you that my dress and hair and general demeaner were much plainer than my daughter's.  Part of that was the era, of course, but part of it was just me. 

I actually saw Chris a few years ago.  My marriage was just ending and he was just beginning a relationship with someone.  We had lunch together and it was wonderful to talk with him.  We've since lost touch.  I guess, though, what I'd say to him if we saw each other today is - Thanks for going to the prom with me and being such a kind and lovely young man. 

Maybe I give things too much importance, but I tend to feel that my earliest "romantic" relationships are what have allowed me to remain healthy and optimistic in my attitudes about love and people in general.  I had a pretty long marriage that, while it definitely had good moments, was not particularly healthy or good...but I do feel like my early knowledge of kindness and goodness  helped me not to become all hopeless and bitter.

As a side note, I did find some other great photos.  I will definitely have to share those, too.

Did you go to your prom?  Did you not go?  Care to tell us a little about it?  Your comments are welcomed and encouraged!