It’s Prom Season! Did you know that? If you’re not a parent or if you have small children, you probably don’t put any thought into the biggest dance of the year at all, but in my house the chatter is in full force.
It was a given that the older boy and his girlfriend of six months would be going. She bought her dress last Saturday and has put much thought into her hair and other details, but then preparations had to cease because there was one detail that my son had to take care of: he had to ASK her.
HUH?
I know. And it’s not even that easy. Back in the day, “asking” was just…asking.
“Would you like to go to the prom with me?”
No more.
Nowadays, “the ask” is a bigger deal. The asker comes up with a creative way to ask the potential date, like writing the question on a card, attaching it to a stuffed animal, and presenting it. Or balloons. Balloons are good: the older boy’s girlfriend asked him to the Turnabout Dance a couple of months ago by writing the question on balloons and filling his entire car with them. My friend’s son went to his (potential) prom date’s house, messed up her room (with her mom’s permission and supervision), and left a big posterboard there which said, “I’ll be a mess if you don’t go to prom with me.” You get the idea.
MY son completely amazed me. He set up an elaborate scheme, with the help of his girlfriend’s carpool partner and friend–who happens to be one of the students who runs the high school television studio. On Wednesday he dressed up (tie and everything!) for a dual purpose: a German class presentation and his “ask”. After school he met this guy (and a teacher) in the television studio, and recorded his question, which would be a part of the Friday video announcements during second period. He basically said, “Hey Warriors! (and then, addressing his girlfriend by name…) Happy six-month anniversary; would you go to prom with me? Aaaand…don’t forget, Warriors, today is the last day to purchase your prom tickets!”
This broadcast went out to the entire student body, which numbers around 4000-4500 students. His bravery was so impressive to me, and it was also baffling, because I don’t know where he got it. At his age, Jim NOR I would have ever done something like that: we were both shy with others outside our different circles of friends.
When he told me of his plan, my first thought was “Eeek! He’s either going to be the kid who’s getting high-fived all day, or he’ll become ‘that kid who was all goofy on tv’.” That, however, was me projecting my own teenaged fears. He could have cared less*. And that is perhaps the most outstanding part of this whole thing for me, realizing that Jim and I have raised a kid who doesn’t care much what others think of him: he marches to his own beat. As a parent, all I can say is…Wow.
Speaking of brave, I thought I’d put Jim and I out on a limb and take you back to our first prom, when he was a senior and I was a junior. These weren’t taken with my trusty Olympus (because they are circa 1985), and the quality isn’t the best, but…enjoy.
Go ahead: laugh. I don’t care (anymore). *tee hee*
*For the record, he got high fives all day.
©2010 Suburban Scrawl
14 Comments
SurprisedMom
You guys were cute!
As far as your son, yes he is BRAVE! I never would have had the nerve to do what he did. I don't even know if I could have filled someone's car with balloons. Prom season, lived through it last season and will do so next season. This year I got a break.
My word verification was angst. It's apparent your son does not suffer from this. Good for him!
PJ Mullen
Wow, highly brave. Never would have had the ability to do that. I had to write down my engagement proposal then have it written in calligraphy on a scroll because I knew I'd never get through it.
theycallmejane
I had NO idea. Sounds more like the preparations for a marriage proposal! And don't apologize for the "old" prom pics – I think I wore the same dress!
nycgirl0501
WOW Indeed!
Seriously WOW and congratulations to him!
I asked my date at the parking lot of the fancy McDonalds in Long Island. He was my exboyfriend who I had recently started hanging out again. He said Yes and then we had Mickey D's 🙂
Tara R.
A very cool 'ask,' how could anyone turn that down? I hope the GF was suitably impressed too.
You and Jim were adorable!
Dawn
^5 to D! Way cool!
Awwwwww….you guys were so cute! I still have that picture of the two of you in front of the fireplace in my box of pictures! 🙂
Tracey - Just Another Mommy Blog
Wow. So, what are these boys going to do for their wedding proposals??? The bar is getting set so high!
Enjoy baking today! My husband is having a blast with the mixer today!
Michelle
It's funny you post on this because Friday night some friends and I were discussing the apparently obnoxious lengths that teens now have to go through to ask other to prom. Yowsers.
And really freaky thing? Jim in high school? Looks SO much like my prom date. SO much so. Creepily like mine. I'll have to dig up pictures somehow and show you. Down to the hair and the little mustache.
Heather
That is SO AWESOME! Your son wins like, boyfriend of the year for that one 😉 Pretty frickin' cool. Awww, Prom time. I know all about it with my BFF being a makeup artist for MAC. She's been talking about it for weeks, she's got some HILAR stories to share.
As for you and Jim?
HAHA that is full of win. And adorable at the SAME TIME.
WeaselMomma
I had no idea that the 'ask' had gotten so elaborate!
You and Jim are very cute.
Mom24
Well, if they've been dating 6 months maybe not so brave, but fun for sure! Kuddos to him for being so creative. She's a lucky girl.
Lucy
Love the ask! How fun!
And LOVE the prom pix of you guys–adorable!
Mags
Wow. That's quite a lot of pressure just for the ask! I am glad that we didn't have that when I was younger…though I had a boyfriend for all 4 years (the same one) so it was a given too, but still. Wow. And yeah-your kid is pretty great. 🙂
Sue
You 2 are so DAMN cute!!!! I just want to say "Awwwww" and "Gee whizzzzz" and "wow".
And the fact that older boy got the high fives…. VERY COOL! Hope she said yes!