Milestone Event...

I have one daughter.  Just one.  She is a junior in high school.  My daughter is shy and modest.  Yes, she is a cheerleader and I realize that seems like an oxymoron, but it's true.  Springtime in your junior year (and senior) means Prom.  My daughter has never had a boyfriend.  Never been on a real date.  She has been to one dance and she went with a group of girlfriends.  Things are much different today than when I was a girl in high school.  Despite not having fond memories of high school, I do have great memories of Prom.  My daughter insisted she is not. going. to. prom.

Last week her best friend Colin was over asking me for advice on a fun way to ask a girl to Prom.  Boys do crazy, creative things these days to ask a girl.  I don't know what ever happened to simply asking, but they don't.  So, the "Prom" discussions began again.

So, my daughter and I are heading to the mall to get some necessities and I bring up the subject.
Me..."So, if someone asked you to Prom, would you go?"
Daughter..."Someone did want to ask me, but I told him and everyone else not to bother, because I do not want to go, so do NOT ask me."
Me..."Well, that seems really crazy and slightly rude honey.  Why do you feel that way?"
Daughter..."Because either dad or my brother or my cousin will embarrass me!"
Me..."So, if I PROMISE that no one will embarrass you, would you reconsider?  I think that this is a memory that you cannot ever get back if you choose to skip it.  Certain things you get a do-over on, this is not one of them."
Daughter..."If you can guarantee that they will not make idiots of themselves and interrogate the boy, then I would go."
Me..."So, you promise!?  If you promise, I will promise that IF your dad, brother, or cousin embarrass you, I will give you $500."
Daughter..."Yes, I will promise to go."

So, we hit the mall with a whole new purpose.  Prom dress shopping.

I've learned a few things along the way in my life.  One is, do not judge a dress on a hanger.  Not every color is for every gal.  Not every cut/style is for every gal.  The only way to learn what looks best on your body type and skin tone is to try on dress after dress.  Just because they make it in your size does not mean you should wear it.

I have done my very best to teach my daughter these lessons too.  I'm proud to say, she's getting good at it.

The first dress she tried on, was "the one".  But, to be certain, we tried on others as well.  LOTS of dresses.  We still went back to "the one".  We didn't purchase it, because it's good to sometimes sleep on these things.

On the way home, we had the following conversation...

Me..."Do you realize that we will get to do this one more time and then the next time we go dress shopping together, it will be for your wedding.?"
Daughter..."Are you crying?"
Me..."A little.  I never got to do this with my mother.  Not for Prom or for a wedding.  I was there when we shopped for your dress to come home in.  I was there when we shopped for your baptism dress.  I chose so many Easter and Christmas dresses too.  Now, we are shopping for your prom dress.  You are a young woman and I am so proud of you.  I hope that someday we will shop for your daughter's first dress together and I hope with all my heart that you will treasure these times as I do."
Daughter..."Great!  Now, I'm crying."

These are the moments in life that God blesses us with that make everything worth while.