I went to my Senior prom...with my friend...whose date was my little brother. Long story, but it was a fine night. Fine. Not exactly how you want to describe your prom night, right? Even then (a few years ago) prom seemed like a night where guys bragged about hook ups, everyone talked about getting rooms, drinking, being outside their parents control....Call me prude. I can take it. But there was more to life for me than all that "can't wait to grow up" behavior.
Last Friday, I got to help my nephew out as he picked up his date for the Mormon Prom. That's right. These days in my neck of the woods they have a regional prom designed for LDS kids - and any other high school age student (16+) who wants to abide by our standards.
The night started out like any other prom with Wyland picking up his beautiful date, Shelby.
Then they headed over to a friend's for a gazillion pictures by parents (and aunts) posing as paparrazi.
Then to the church where they met with lots of beautiful, modestly dressed young ladies and their equally good lookin' dates and head to the charter buses. That's right, charter buses.
Wave bye bye to Shelby and Wyland. They're headed to the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History.
I wasn't there to keep taking pictures, but here's what I heard about the rest of the night.
They offered a buffet meal in the hall of mammals
(which made Wy wonder if anyone else found it a little ironic).
Had some dancing in another hall.
Got to wait in line for a nice little limo ride with their buddies.
Brought home a balloon flower for his lovely lady.
Prom'd so hard that they nearly fell asleep on the bus ride home.
Waited patiently for his fantastic chauffer at the church and then escorted his lovely lady home.
From the cryptic and few statements he shared with me it sounded like a fun filled night where they got to be exactly what they are: kids.