Prom- Then and Now

I mentioned in a previous post that I would detail my prom experience from back in the Eighties. I will not tell the whole story- it is long, complicated, and incredibly awkward. Instead, I have chosen to compare and contrast my experiences: Prom, 1986, and Prom, 2010.


The Dress:

Prom, 1986:
A bridesmaid dress bought off the clearance rack at JC Penney. A shimmering blue- green affair, with a full skirt and big puffy sleeves that could be worn on or off the shoulder. I liked them off the shoulder. My mom didn’t. I took them off my shoulder when I left the house. I felt like a romance novel heroine.

Prom, 2010:

Bought it at JC Penney- but not off the clearance rack, this time. A slinky, pink print affair from hundreds of dresses in the formal wear section. No shoulders on the dress, so the tattoo could show. The dress was chosen by consensus, between my kids, my husband, and I. I felt like a 41 year old mom in a beautiful dress- and that was all right.


The Hair:

Prom, 1986:

Not quite how I wanted it. I was going for long blonde ringlets, but they fell out as soon as I walked out of the salon.

Prom, 2010:

My daughter did my hair. She did a great job, but I had it colored a fiery shade of red the day before, which I thought made me look like a pumpkin. Therefore: also not quite how I wanted it.

The Date:

Prom, 1986:

My love interest, who, unbeknownst to me, was about to come out of the closet.

Prom, 2010:

My husband, who loves women. Who really, really, really loves women.


The Ride:

Prom, 1986:

Best that I can remember, there was a limo with lots of champagne- that, of course, we didn’t drink because we were underage.

Prom, 2010:

Our black Corvette, which would have been one year old in 1986. Way cooler than a limo.


The Prom:

Prom, 1986:

Presentation of Senior Superlatives. I was voted “Most Intelligent.” I am sure this was the result of a campaign by my best friends to win votes for me. I am still befuddled over the title: how can you be voted “Most Intelligent.” Shouldn’t that be, like, the results of standardized testing or something?

Prom, 2010:

Allen and I created our own Senior Superlatives. “Most Likely to Succeed on the Basis of His Charming Personality, Because He Doesn’t Do Crap in Allen’s Class.” “Most Likely to Get Laid After the Prom.”


The Dancing That Your Parents Would Be Appalled With:

Prom, 1986:

Slow dancing with your date with your tongues down each others’ throats.

Prom, 2010:

Freak dancing. See my previous post.


After-Prom Nookie:

Prom, 1986:

Absent. See above, under “The Date.”

Prom, 2010:

Present. Ibid.


Waking up The Morning After:

Prom, 1986:

In the sand, on the beach, with a hangover and no boyfriend.

Prom, 2010:

Curled up in bed with Husband. All Good.