Prom Night
My teen daughter went to her high school prom on Saturday night – her date was a good guy, they joined a big group for dinner, rode in a limo, had fun at the dance, enjoyed a sober post-party at someone’s house where the parents were home. She had fun.
Two things about the evening stood out for me.
First, she had planned to get all dressed up at a girlfriend’s house, then head straight to dinner. To which I said, say what?! When would I get to see her in her dress, and her boyfriend in his tux, and the two of them together? I put my foot down and said they would both come by my house so I could get pictures.
I know it’s harder for my daughter with parents in two homes. But prom memories are priceless. It’s not like I wanted to inflict some one-on-one, what are your intentions with my daughter? time on the boy. I just wanted to snap some pics. Having them swing by would add an extra ten minutes to their evening.
They came by, and it was very nice. The boy’s parents came too, and we all got action shots of the corsage and boutonniere pinning. I even snuck in a father daughter photo.
Second, the whole evening made me feel really old. Basically, I remember my prom like it was yesterday. Having it be my turn to stay up late, making sure my daughter got home safely, really made me realize what my parents went through when I was a teen. No, I wasn’t nervous. In fact, I was super happy for my daughter that she has grown up into a beautiful young woman with a nice boyfriend and a great group of friends. It simply made me realize how fleeting this raising kids business can be.
The night ended with a handful of my daughter’s girl friends sleeping over at our house. I made breakfast for them in the morning, and pried them for details about the dance.
“How much will you give me to tell your parents you actually slept here last night?” I asked.
“But we did sleep here,” they said.
“Not if I say you didn’t. Twenty bucks each?”
Nothing like a little post-prom blackmail to remind them they’re still teens with parents who care.
(I was just kidding about the twenty bucks.)
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Comment by Kimberly
| May 18th, 2009
You’re such a good dad! I think those girls were very lucky to have you make breakfast for them and talk with them. And your daughter is very fortunate to have a dad there for her in these big moments!
Kimberly´s last blog post..Welcome Blogging Mama!
Comment by Just Me...
| May 18th, 2009
How sweet!!! You know, you are a good daddy!!! :)
Just Me…´s last blog post..Dance, Dance, Dance…
Comment by Eathan
| May 18th, 2009
That’s cool. At least with them spending the night at your house, you knew where they were.
Wait… you cook? Breakfast? Awesome!
Eathan´s last blog post..Online Dating Again
Comment by T
| May 18th, 2009
Aw prom memories!!!
I actually went to my junior prom with Soldier’s brother. Kind of funny to think of that now.
I’m glad she respected your wishes and let you be the doting dad. Such a sweet relationship you two have.
T´s last blog post..Soccer Mom
Comment by Laura
| May 18th, 2009
Aw man!!! Those are indeed such bittersweet moments!!!
Glad she had fun and that you got to see them :)
Babies get big!!
Laura´s last blog post..I am a hot mama
Comment by MindyMom
| May 18th, 2009
My daughter had her prom on Saturday too. In my neck of the woods we’ve always had pre-event picture parties – where one parent hosts all the kids and parents at their residence – or sometimes at a public park – to get your shots. That way you get to snap pics of your kid and their date plus the whole group they go with. Usually that’s quite a crowd! Then the transportation arrives and takes them to dinner.
Glad your daughter had a nice – and safe – night!
MindyMom´s last blog post..Manic Monday
Comment by Kori
| May 18th, 2009
This just reminds me that I, too, am getting old; mine will go to her first prom next year. And I hate it. So glad she had fun and was reponsible! In some ways I may take a page from your book when it is our turn, but I gotta say, I won’t be kidding about the $20. :)
Kori´s last blog post..I Was GOING to Post Photos But….
Comment by Tanya
| May 18th, 2009
I hope I can one day be as good a mother as you are a father!
Comment by Honey
| May 18th, 2009
If my dad had thought of it, he would have charged me $20 to sleep at MY house!
Honey´s last blog post..Best. Party. Ever.
Comment by notasoccermom
| May 18th, 2009
I have been waiting for this!!!
I am so glad she had a great time, and you have every right to insist on pictures. Good touch being in one yourself.
I always have a hard time staying up waiting for them to get home. But I hear them come in.
I bet she looked beautiful!
your sense of humor is very comparable to mine. Good line!
notasoccermom´s last blog post..A Nature Walk
Comment by Mark
| May 18th, 2009
Sounds like you handled it all very well, old man!
Mark´s last blog post..How Narrow or Wide Is Your Lens?
Comment by April
| May 18th, 2009
Thanks for the levity at the end. You almost had me crying at work!
Comment by Jillian
| May 18th, 2009
I need to be as crafty as you with the $20. :) Were they all giggly?
Jillian´s last blog post..Confession: I’m an addict
Comment by The Exception
| May 18th, 2009
I love the dollar 20 comment!! I am so not excited about the prom days as there is so much life to share between then and now… but you are definitely one awesome dad!!
The Exception´s last blog post..It’s Holding On & Letting Go
Comment by Sandra
| May 18th, 2009
Wow, nice post.
I went to both my junior and senior proms, and both times it was unforgetable. I had a blast, and my parents and their friends did all they could to make it memorable for me.
My stepdad had a one-on-one talk “what are your intentions with my daughter” with my date and I loved him for it.
I am glad you were there to make sure your daughter was okay.
Sandra´s last blog post..Ghettofabulous
Comment by Vinomom
| May 18th, 2009
I never went to my prom. I still regret it, in fact I was thinking about it today.
I can’t even imagine my daughter going to prom! I can see how it would make you feel old. I look at my daughter some days and wonder who is this pre-teen that was just a toddler the other day?
Are you posting pics on Facebook?
Vinomom´s last blog post..I’m Baaack
Comment by Janet
| May 18th, 2009
What a nice mix of sweet and funny. You’re such a good dad!
Janet´s last blog post..Online Dating–Not For the Faint of Heart
Comment by dadshouse
| May 18th, 2009
April – curious what made you almost cry. Should I have gone easy on these teens, and just asked for $10?
Vinomom – no public pics, sorry. I’m trying to respect the privacy of my daughter.
The most one-on-one talking I did with the boy was telling him, in a very authoritative fatherly voice: “have her home by ten!” Which was a complete joke, because the prom ended at midnight, and the post party went on for a bit after that.
As for breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, fresh pineapple and strawberries, hot cocoa, and cappuccino for whoever wanted it (i.e. my kids. Those coffee addicts)
Comment by Bullgrit
| May 18th, 2009
I’m impressed with how you handled it all. We’ve still got several years before we get to deal with a prom (and we’ve got just boys), but I’m already so very curious to see how different or similar it will be to my experiences.
Bullgrit´s last blog post..Gone Fishin’
Comment by SweetPeaSurry
| May 18th, 2009
Awww how sweet! I didn’t go to my prom … serves me right for dating ‘older’ guys. Sheehs!
blessings!
Comment by krn
| May 18th, 2009
Awwwwww, sweet, sweet post here, Dad’s!
I want to come over for breakfast. First, you tempt us with the oatmeal and then this feast. Yummmmmm.
Sounds like a wonderful and memorable time with your daughter and her friends. :)
Comment by Lia
| May 18th, 2009
I teared up thinking back to my prom after reading this. I guess we never realize how important it was to our parents.
Lia´s last blog post..Finally Some Answers
Comment by amanda
| May 18th, 2009
Oh how prom seems so long ago, even though it’s only been four years. I don’t remember if my dad made it to my house where I lived with my mom and stepdad. She is a lucky girl.
Comment by Andrea as Venus
| May 19th, 2009
Should have made it thirty bucks, lol! I can’t even imagine my kids going off to prom. It sounds like it was good night. I know I loved going to my own.
Comment by Pinnythewu
| May 19th, 2009
I was reading your post thinking how sweet it was that you have such a good relationship which your daughter. Then I was distracted by an advertisment under the post asking me if I’d like to meet gay singles in my area.
Comment by nov
| May 19th, 2009
heh. sometimes you come across really sweet.
I would definitely stick with $20, why blackmail for cheap? ;)
Comment by John
| May 19th, 2009
You did the right thing in asking the “prom-goers” to stops by the house. The fact that you remember your prom suggests that you are not old at all or enought :) Nice post and Take care.
John´s last blog post..Using Emoticons with children:A simple technique to teach children about their feelings
Comment by ilinap
| May 19th, 2009
I love that they spent the night at your house and made them breakfast. Adorable.
Comment by Kai
| May 19th, 2009
This post “brought me back”. I haven’t yet hit the phase of teenagers. The comment about blackmail just cracked me up. What a great dad!
Kai´s last blog post..Best Friends Forever
Comment by katherine.
| May 26th, 2009
we actually got to the point that the “group” six or seven couples and ALL of their parents met somewhere for pictures….a house…a park…and light house point.
When they all drive together in a limo it would have been about ten stops to hit all the parents’ houses..
It is a milestone. Old or not.
girls always remember their proms…you will always remember too.
katherine.´s last blog post..In Idaho…they are just a little more free…