How was you Senior Prom?

On the way to school today I listened to my fave podcast: This American Life.  The topic?  Senior Prom.  The excitement, the build-up, the inevitable let-down, the stupidity, the dress, the hair, etc.  They explored, why is Prom such a popular cultural phenonmenon?  

During one prom, a tornado took out half the town and killed 1/3 of its residents –the story left me in tears.  Another story was about the guys making meticulous plans to “get laid,” which left me cracking up if not disturbed.  Another interview was of the famous author of the Sweet Valley High Teen stories who wrote over 35 of said books on prom.  It was a great episode! 

Anyway, all this got me thinking about my own Senior Prom and wondering about yours.  How was it for you?  Lame? Awesome!?

Here’s my story… First off, I didn’t have one.  I went to a Christian school and my Senior year was the last year the school was even open.  We were all too broke for a prom.  However, in my Junior year we did have a “Junior-Senior” banquet.

But here’s the thing.  I don’t remember much of it.  I have a vague memory of my dress because of a picture I have in my mind of me on my front steps with my boyfriend, LP.  I was wearing an obnoxious bright royal blue dress with matching shoes that Ma & I got from a second-hand store.  The pic is at home, so I will scan and post later. 🙂  

I remember that there was a water main break on my block that night and so LP & I had to walk the length of the block to get to his car.  Everyone was outside smiling and pointing at us as if we were headed out to the Grammy’s or our wedding or something.

But after that…nothing.  I can not remember what my best friends, Jodi, Keri or Jenni had on.  I don’t remember where it was at or what we had for dinner or what took place there.  I don’t remember if we partied, went to a club or got “lucky.”  And, NO I had no alcohol or drugs that evening to account for this memory loss.

Although I know what may.  A volitale relationship will do the trick.  LP & I were crazy obsessive in love.  We were together -mostly on & off- for all of my 10th -12th grade.  Regrettably, and unfortuanately we would go at it like jack rabbits.  This is even more sad considering when I graduated high school I was a mere 16 years old and always a full 2 years younger than all of my peers.  In any case, our relationship was abusive (to one another) and horribly dysfunctional.  Teen anxst is horrible enough without adding the extra pressure that sex brings to a relationship.

For example: At one point, LP slept with another girl.  Being the mature member of the relationship I went out and did the same thing –except with a guy he knew– and made sure it got back to him.  When he confronted me with it we screamed at each other at the top of our lungs and he punched me.  I was driving at the time, so naturally, I punched him back and naturally, he jumped out of the moving car.  And naturally, I drove off without looking back.  And naturally, by that night we were up to our old antics and naturally, he lead me in a Bible study on the topic of forgiveness.  Did I mention we were teen-agers?  It’s so redonkulous I have a hard time believing I actually lived that crazy life.  Do you now have a small taste of what Jesus saved me from?  

Anyway, I can’t remember my Senior Prom a.k.a. junior banquet.  And maybe that’s a good thing.

So, how was your Senior Prom?