(My) Last Prom

Written for 5/19/2009 Edition of Andrea's Random Thoughts

I think that perhaps only those who have gone through planning a wedding or prom preparation could possibly understand or sympathize. If you have a teenager, especially a girl, you probably know what I am talking about. My daughter, along with the other members of the Class of 2009, has been busy planning for the senior prom for several months. The grand event was held this past Saturday at the Hampden Country Club. This formal is one of several we have prepped for over the years, but somehow it seemed the best one on record…and it’s our last, I mean, HER last!


Probably back in February or March was when I began to see the websites for prom dresses flashing upon our computer screen at home as my daughter agonized over what to choose this year. Of course, as she asks me for my opinion on a particular dress, my first reply is almost always the same, “Great, how much is it?” She explained to me the protocol of prom dresses, “You have to buy something new when it’s your prom, but you borrow a dress from someone else if you are a guest at someone else’s prom.” I sure am glad that there is some borrowing going on somewhere, but this time we had to purchase. Many girls purposely order their dresses on-line instead of buying locally to avoid the chance that a classmate will have the same dress. I probably won’t argue with this too much given that at my own junior AND senior prom, the same girl had the same dress as me. I think that many shopped at the Deb store back then.

The dress that we ordered on-line for my daughter this year was shorter and light yellow. About 10 days after placing the order, I decided to call the company and find out where it was, only to be told that the order was cancelled due to the dress being out-of-stock (although when I first called them it was in stock). I never did get their email notifying me of the cancellation. The good news is that I had built in some extra time, but we had to act fast to fix the horrific look on my daughter’s face. We located the same dress on another website and I called them. The man who answered was incredibly helpful and even called the dress designer while I waited on the other line. He told me that they no longer had the yellow, but offered it in a royal blue with aqua which could be shipped in 3 days. Now this was good customer service! I won’t mention the companies’ names directly, but if anybody wants to know who came through and who didn’t, feel free to email me. The blue was a smashing success!

We followed up the preparation with a trip to the mall for a pair of silver shoes (remember last week’s Mother’s Day story?). The gorgeous hairstyle my daughter chose was made possible by Tara at Station 5 Salon on Jabish Street, the beautiful corsage was from D’s Flowers on Federal Street, and her boyfriend’s perfectly matching boutonniere was supplied by Donahue’s Flowers on Stadler Street. For past proms we have also enlisted the help of Pamela-Jean’s Tailoring for dress alterations and dry cleaning services. We have so many wonderful businesses right here in Belchertown and I am happy to give them their due credit!

After the photo session in another parent’s front yard, the limo arrived to transport the seniors to their magical evening. I had joked with my daughter about there being enough room in the limo for me…of course she gave me that look. The event was a big deal for us parents too. I even took the day off from my classes to be present for all of the activities. I wouldn’t have missed being a part of such a special day! Everyone looked wonderful! Great job Class of 2009!