I didn't get to go to either of my Proms, but my children both did.  My daughter's junior year she was going with a guy who hadn't been to the house yet.  I had a luncheon on the day of, about an hour and a half away, to hear one of my favorite authors speak, and get her autograph.  So, I took my daughter the night before to have her nails done, put her hair in rollers, etc.  I knew I would be home in enough time to finish her hair and help her get ready, but that was all. 

Anyway, dear daughter got it in her head that the house wasn't clean enough (it was fine, really, but she was nervous) for her date to see it.  So, she cleaned… and RUINED her nails.  Then the bawling started, as she didn't have her license yet, and didn't know what to do, knowing I spent money I really couldn't afford for her french tip creations!  So, big brother to the rescue, who happened to be home from college that weekend.  He drove her back to the nail salon, in her flip flops, pajama pants, tee shirt and hair in curlers, with his wallet ready to get her nails fixed so she would stop crying!  The nail tech was so surprised and touched by her brother's love she did the redo for free, but made her promise to go to Wal-mart and buy some gloves if she was going to do housework with "good nails!" 

The only reason I found out, was because my son had a big old NOISY Isuzu Trooper, and when I called on her cell, I could tell my daughter was out with her brother, and I couldn't imagine where she would go and be seen in curlers!  It certainly was a memorable story to tack onto her first Prom experience! 

Oh, and my daughter's date was so captivated by her beauty he didn't even look at the house! 

I think rolling around DC in a limo is a great memory! 

I am excited to see the pictures, Suzanne. My daughter went for the "Princess" look both years too.  My son just did the normal mens wear… no top hats and canes, though there were some that really put it all out there.  One of my daughters friends went all white tux, with tails, top hat, etc.  It was very dramatic looking as he is a darker skinned young man with black hair.  It made a nice contrast. 

It was/is a cold, rainy and windy weekend here, so I hope the weather was better there. 

Did anyone have "After Prom" events?  Back in the day (aging myself) after Prom you went to Lake Michigan… usually for the night,.  Now, with parents helping their students make more responsible decisions, they have started having After Prom events to keep the kids in the party spirit, but more under control. 

My son's Junior Prom had an amazing after event. The kids were locked into the high school gym all night, where they ate pizza and snacks, played games (including electronic set up for rousing rounds of Guitar Hero and such,) and some napped on the tumbling mats.  Then at around 5:00 AM a chartered bus came and the kids climbed on for a drive to Chicago (about 2 hours from here) where they and a couple other Chicago area schools had all of Six Flags amusement park booked just for them.  I remember my son coming home at 8 PM or so and literally falling face down onto his bed and snores emitting immediately!  He still wears his "I survived my all night Prom event" t-shirt, and he just graduated college last weekend!  I guess there are some things to be really proud of, huh?

The next year's Junior class planned bowling afterwards.  We ended up getting a call around 11 from my son and his girlfriend at the time asking if some of the crowd could come over for a bonfire at our place instead.  That was actually a really fun time.  I rushed around looking for quick snacks, made iced tea and lemonade, and was glad I always keep marshmellows around for our spontanious bonfires.  There ended up being about 30 kids or so who came, and everyone was very well behaved.  I got to see most of the girls dresses before they went into a bedroom or bathroom to change, and I enjoyed my own little fashion show.  There are a lot of different styles of dresses the kids wear to prom now!

For both of my daughters After Proms they went by bus to Kalamazoo (yes, there is really a Kalamazoo, and it is actually our closest "big" city) to a YMCA where they were locked in all night.  They swam, played games and just hung out.  She had a good time, but I think would have liked the amusement park better!  LOL

ahhhh Pete… I feel for you, but at least you had the experience.  I am happier living through my kids I guess.  My mother wouldn't allow me to go to my Proms because I didn't have a date, and back then, you went as a couple or not at all!

Funny, because my son went his junior year alone, and hung out with friends… a few of his close buddies went without a date, but went with his girlfriend for his Senior year.  My daughter was the opposite and went with some other girlfriends her Senior year instead of a date.  Both kids had fun both years, so it was good all around!

My younger sister did the "mercy date" thing for her Junior Prom, going with a son of someone I was working for.  Considering my sister was a jock, hated dressing up, and would generally only wear a dress for a funeral or wedding, it was a REAL mercy date! 

I was married by this point, but do remember being a tad jealous that she got to go to a prom! LOL

That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger?