Every year, around this time, prom rolls around, with it bringing nervous teens, suit and tuxedo rentals, and long, bling-laden gowns. Every year, around this time, I am struck with nostalgia. Many people aren’t aware of the fact that I make up the 53% (YouGov research) who did not attend their prom.
I know it’s a shock.
It wasn’t by choice. I was actually grounded from both of my proms (but that’s a story for later bloggings).
I’ve always felt like I missed something great…a sort of rite of passage. But in realizing that I make up the majority, it’s been more comforting. It was also extremely comforting to follow my nephew and his beautiful girlfriend through their prom preparations.
It’s not every day that you get to shoot your nephew for his prom. In fact, this was his (and my) first prom. Vicariously through him, I got to experience the anxiety and nervousness; the sequins and rhinestones; the sweetheart infatuations and nervous silence. I was not only their photographer, documentarian, but I also got to be their chaperone for a short period.
And as we rode through the streets of South Tulsa, listening to Beyoncé, me driving in the front (dancing of course) and them laughing and cutting up in the back, this day, this moment made my dreams come true. I became a part of their event. I experienced the highs. And, I was there right up until the moment they excited the car hand-in-hand, and walked into their rite of passage through the high school doors.
This experience brought me back center. And while so many people I know have attended 2,3, and even 4 proms, the one I got to experience was the greatest one on record, because I got to be there and capture it.
