Beaming with Pride

Blue Kid went to prom Saturday night. The photo session began at BK's girlfriend's parents' house at 4:30pm. Well, it actually started at 4:45pm because BK's girlfriend was in her bedroom with her grandmother in a full-blown state of emergency.

At one point, her Grandma ran out into the living room saying, "She doesn't have a purse! She needs a silver purse! And her hair needs sprayed again!"

I glanced over at Blue Kid, who was standing quietly near the couch holding Em's corsage with both hands, grinning and looking somewhat clueless. I can guarantee he doesn't truly understand why needing and not having a silver purse could be viewed as a perfectly appropriate reason to call 911.

When every strand of Em's hair was sprayed in place and an acceptable purse had been found, they shyly exchanged flowers and stood for pictures in front of the fireplace.

From there, we all went to another parents' house where four other couples and all their parents and grandparents and possibly, by the size of the crowd, their great grandparents too, gathered for another photo session in the den. I didn't know any of these kids. And apparently no one else did either. It was the one boy's birthday. And the lady of the house walked around quietly, whispering to everyone, "In a few minutes, let's sing Happy Birthday to John!"

After we were finished singing, the kids were cracking up. The boy's name wasn't John. Not-John was a good sport. He didn't seem to care at all.

The rain, which had been pouring down all day, finally let up. So, we all went outside to take photos in front of the large evergreens. I watched as they joked and laughed and hugged and preened for the cameras.

One of the girls yelled, "Come and get a shot of Jim and I up close! And her dad yelled, "Jim and me, Lauren. Jim and me."

And I thought, BP and this guy would get along great!

The rain began to fall and as the kids all piled into the limo and drove away, I choked up for the second time that day. The first time being when I saw BK beaming when he put on his tuxedo.

After-prom ended at 4:00am. I fought off sleep until 12:30 and then proceeded to fight off consciousness every fifteen minutes. At 3:00am, I nudged The Skimmer.

"I'm worried."

"Don't be worried."

"Ok."

"They're contained."

"Yeah, they are prom inmates."

Proms are different now. Everything including dinner beforehand is all held at the same place. There is a lengthy security process the kids have to go through if they want to leave after-prom before it's over. I think handcuffs, ropes and tasers are involved. Which is fine by me.

You wouldn't have caught me dead at my after-prom. Or maybe you would have. I would have been tasered.

Good thing, too. From the details (I got actual details!) I got the next morning, after-prom was a hit. Primarily because BK won $100 in a raffle.

Last night, The Skimmer and I were in bed. He said, "I was just so proud last night."

"I know."

"How come though?"

"Cuz!"

"Yeah, but really. Why? Because he was dressed up?"

"Yeah, when your son is dressed up and doesn't smell it always makes you proud."

He laughed, "Well, I keep thinking about it."

"It's because he was so happy."

"He was beaming."

"He really was."

Comments

[yaya]

Look at Bluenephew!!! He is the cutest thing I have ever seen....E is spectacular!!!!T7!

[Von]

Oh! I just teared up for you! What a great post. As someone who doesn't plan on having kids, but has worked with teens for years, I know a little of the feeling of the prom night glee. Congrats - I'm sure BK is a fantastic kid!!

[Jennifer]

Yay!! A photo!!! Sounds like it was a great time for everyone.

[Jenny]

BG,

Loved the pictures; BK is ready for GQ!
Em has a striking resemblance
to Tina Fey....beautiful girl.

Love it when you and Skimmer are beaming!!

Jenny

[Mike13833]

BK looks sharp. Sweet post BG . :)

prom inmates..
I think handcuffs, ropes and tasers are involved.

Lol!

Way back when, a lot of us felt the same way, so set up a non-prom prom, including a dress code of wearing something you already had. (Due to a death in the family , I missed that too.) Also, we were dismayed at the thought of some sappy-crappy Air Supply song as our prom theme legacy , even if many of us weren't going to be there. We started a write-in campaign, that was ultimately successful. Let the Good Times Roll eked it out over Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers . You'd have fit right in, BG. :)

[Mike13833]

^BK looks sharp. & Em too. (I need an edit button.)

Re the email( that won't work at the moment- ??) :
h/t driftglass . ( Don't want to be on the MoDo train-to-hell ;)
http://driftglass.blogspot.com/2009/05/sunday-morning-comin-down_17.html

[brendacullerton]

Like I said a few weeks ago, BG...You don't need to read Spiegelman's book on happiness. Because your transformation of ordinary pleasures (and not so ordinary pleasures: ie the prom)via the written word is such pure joy! And PS. At least, you don't have to deal with the AFTER-AFTER hours party. Which is what I'm up against at the moment.

[Brando]

Another great BG post, and it also made me laugh because it made me wonder what my parents were saying when I was out til 4 am on prom night.

[Melissa from Pittsburgh]

Awwwwwwwwww

And a perfect gentleman and so well ... handsome.

awwwwwwwwww

Makes my heart hurt thinkin bout prom.

Ugh! I can't even think about prom! TWO GIRLS! PROM! I am doomed!

[scribbler50]

You really have a gift, BG, for taking life's little moments and turning them into MOMENTS. (Not, of course, that a Prom is a little moment.)
Beautiful post!

[Skimmer]

Sure glad he looks more like his mother.

[Kathleen]

lovely post and fab pic! congrats for a special BK!

[Patrice]

What a fantastically cute couple!

Such a sweet post; no wonder you are proud of her.