Prom - #13 Blaugust 2026
My last post was about the high school days, so here's another moment.
I Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain
This is a story abou the first time I danced with a girl.
I was never a social butterfly. I switched schools starting in 6th grade and didn't really have many friends. I don't really like dancing either so I never attended any school dances. I kind of made friends more in high school, but I only ever saw those people at school. There was a girl I had a crush on who I would usually talk to during homeroom and maybe saw her at the end of the day. We had been friends for awhile and she made it clear (though I never asked her out) that she was not interested in me romantically.
Prom, as you know, is a big deal. This was before the time of big "Promposals" and I was considering not even going. But I guess I worked out that my friend was my only shot for a date and decided I would ask her to the prom. I was nervous since I did not want her to think this a romantic date, but to my surprise she said yes.
My dad was very surprised to say the least. I remember having to coordinate the color of the tux and my mother found a matching corsage. My friend had other friends getting a limo and got us a spot. I remember getting dropped off at her house for pictures and such, then her sister drove us to another persons house to assemble for the party.
I don't remember all the events of the evening, but I believe the food was served first and the dance floor opened after. There was a wrinkle in the evening: my date didn't want to dance! I wasn't given a reason. She wasn't interested and I didn't want to pressure her into anything. We kind of awkwardly sat there for awhile and dismissed anyone walking up trying to get us on the dance floor. This part's a bit fuzzy, but another friend of mine had come over and spoke with her and afterward she came back over and asked me to get up and dance with her. I don't know what was said, but my friend changed her mind.
We slow danced to the song (it was the selected song for the prom theme) and freestyled to some more upbeat music. I remember staying up late and being real tired when I got home. In a way it was a coming of age moment. A younger me wouldn't have imagined experiencing the prom at all. I felt a little more grown up.