Prom Pangs

Tonight is supposed to be a special night for some of my grandchildren.  It's prom night. That magical night when romance is in the air, the young ladies are dressed up in the floor length gowns they have shopped for months to find.  Their hair is soft, flowing down onto shoulders caressed with glitter and ribbons.  Hours are spent putting the makeup on, finding the perfect accessories, and donning those high heeled shoes purchased just for this occasion. 

Everything is perfect, the dress fits like a second skin, the hair is elegant, the jewelry glistens on her chest and her wrists.  The corsage is lovely.  But then, everything falls apart.

It appears the young man has had second thoughts.  He has decided he doesn't want to go.  

Through the tears, she keeps her head held high.  Her parents are livid.  So much money has been spent to make this night perfect for her, but that's not the worst part.  The damage to an already painfully shy psyche is unrepairable.  She loves her young man.  Apparently, the feelings are not returned.  

As a grandparent, we feel so badly for her.  Her brother is taking his beloved young lady to the dance. Their night is going well.  But he feels badly for his little sister and wishes he could make her night just as special. As we do.  But there is nothing we can do but be there for her, and remind her of what a beautiful young lady she is.

Proms are one of the most special events in the life of a young teenage girl.  She has a need to feel like a princess and to be treated like one.  She needs to have a young man she can depend on, who will treat her like she is the only young lady in the world, and the most beautiful. 

It has been said that boys mature more slowly than girls at that age.  They don't have the same feelings about proms. They would rather go turkey hunting or fishing, or camping with the other young men their age. Some would rather go to a keg party and get smashed. Dressing up in a tuxedo and spending money on a girl is not as much fun as spending it on their car.

Tonight has been ruined for my granddaughter.  Hopefully, she will get beyond this and find herself a young man with more respect for her.  If he didn't want to go to prom, he should have told her that early on and not allow her family to spend the time and money on getting her ready for a date that was not to be.

My heart breaks for her.  It reminds me of my own high school days, when I, too, was stood up for dates. It really hurts. She is such a beautiful young lady. Smart and talented,  she could have just about any boy in that school.  Hopefully, she will find one before next year's prom.  One that will treat her like the princess she is.

I love you, sweetheart.  We are here for you. Don't let this immature young punk ruin your school year. Don't stay with someone that will treat you like the dirt on your shoes. You are worth so much more than that. You are a princess.