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Rockin' the Prom in 5th Grade Style

I went to the prom...with my 11 year old.  Technically - it was the 5th grade "senior" prom - aka "senior citizen" which means you are supposed to bring Grandma - but since all our family lives in NY I was the only choice.  To be honest - I wasn't sure what to expect.  5th grade is a hazy blur in my mind - but I vaguely remember boys and girls pretty much avoiding each other and spending time with your parents - in public - to be one of life's great humiliations.  I was curious, cautious and hopefully optimistic that things had changed in 30 years. :-)

In preparation we bought Hayden a snazzy new outfit (and - if I do say so myself - he looked incredibly handsome) and I tried to figure out my own clothes. Honestly - what does a 40 year old woman wear to a elementary school dance?  With the help of Facebook (and some wonderful friends) I decided on a simple tunic top and leggings - though the suggestion of sparkly yoga pants and my wedding dress (from Harlyn) were also top contenders.   The day of the dance arrived along with a hefty dose of late April snow and some serious doubts on my behalf.  Nevertheless, I was determined to have a great time on a rare "Mom & Son" date night.  We headed out to dinner before hand (Panda Express - Hayden's choice) and then home to primp and press before driving over.

Such a good lookin' boy!
Incredibly - it was fun. Amazing, wonderful, memory making fun.  The kids blew me away.  The boys were so handsome - some dressed in full on prom wear (one little guy had a tuxedo with a hot pink cummerbund!) and other more "Colorado casual" like my Hayden in his button down shirt, shorts and boat shoes.  The girls were all dolled up - fancy dresses and hair, "high heel" shoes - and I could just see the future teenagers emerging in these still little kids.  Seeing them done up, looking so mature yet acting so young, just tugged at my heart.

We had pictures taken, I got to wear a princess crown (what could be better?) and we danced and jived our way through the YMCA, the Electric Slide and even the Macarena.  Hayden's friends all said I was an amazing dancer (these kids know talent when they see it) and of course I agreed. When a slow song came on, Hayden walked over and said, "Let's dance!" and my heart melted.

We danced, and twirled, and I got dizzy but it was glorious.  In this  moment - there was nothing better.  I saw him as a small baby, a sweet toddler and a little boy all wrapped in one.  I also saw the teenager he was on the verge of becoming and the man I knew he would someday be.  At the end of the song, he gave me a hug and said "I love you Mom, this was the best night ever."

Oh my - it sure was buddy.  It sure was.

Smiling big with my best guy - one lucky Mom!



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