2017 Junior Prom that Wasn't

Couple of the dresses she tried on at the
mall.

The teenager and I were mall hopping and dress shopping for months for her Junior Prom.  We searched on Pinterest (Dee's Prom dress ideas) and checked many online stores for dresses she would wear to Junior Prom  Cute online dress site but we worried about the length.  (She is 6'2!!)

She finally decided she wanted to get her dress custom made due to her long legs. (smh...I think they grow an inch every day!)

Dee's Designer
We narrowed down the color a beautiful teal and found the perfect design to meet her athletic build.  She grew excited.....while I grew nervous.  Not because I didn't trust her choices, because I do. Not because she was going to have to ask "some" boy to go to the prom with her, because I know she would make a good choice.  I wasn't even nervous because she was going to party until the sun came up.  I was nervous....because of ALL OF THE ABOVE AND....she is my first born daughter.
In my head, I remember when she was born I had the doctor check several times to confirm she was a girl.  That somehow in the see of testosterone and sea of blue....I would finally have a girl.  I wanted to make sure that even though they confirmed she was a girl in my ultra sounds, that somehow...there was not a gender mistake.  And through all the confirmation of her "girliness" I dreamed of her attending her proms and her wedding. Being a beautiful teenager blushing and shying away from the attention, as I had done (many MANY moons before).

So today we journey out to get measurements for her dress.  (I think I started hyperventilating at some point on this day because I kept hearing her say to me...."Mom, just breathe"....)  I watched as my mini me graduated to a mini diva!  When did this happen?  Who told her she could grow up?

Her designer/seamstress finalized Dee's dream dress and we were ready for her to be AMAZING!  Now time to find the right shoe to fit that floor length dress she designed.  There are many stores online but....we needed to see the shoe on her foot.  We decided to look for shoes after her tryouts for her AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball team Maryland Belles.  Everything seemed to be falling into place.  She was excited and I was a proud momma.

We went looking at several shoe stores but did not find the "right" shoe.  My Cinderella would not be happy until the shoe fit perfectly!  :)

That evening, we were cooked dinner and when you are cooking for a large family like mine, dinner is always fun and interesting.  We search for foods that not only appeal to my southern style of cooking but are appetizing to my 11 year old vegetarian!  Yes my son, Elijah, has decided to not eat anything that once had a heart beat!  We have to constantly search the web, and my favorite sites to find food for all that fit a small budget.

I finally get everyone settled down for a quick dinner Veggie Burrito while I check emails one last time before shutting down for the night.  We get the email we were waiting for from the coach of her AAU team.  She made the team!!!  Yip Yip Yipee!!!!  Now let me check the schedule so I can re-prioritize my schedule for several months of games, practices and trainings.

They have an important Tournament during the same time as her prom!!!!!!!!  How can I tell her she will not be able to go to prom because college recruiters would be there to see her play?  How can I tell my Princess Diva that she would have to delay this night for about a year??  I mean, after all....it was her Junior Prom.  What would you do?

There were many tears, hugs, prayer and words of encouragement before I could even begin to crush my daughter's dream of the Perfect Prom.  But being the person she is, she took the news rather well.  She understood the significance of the college recruiters seeing her in her junior year of high school. We decided to have a Mommy and Teen day to get mani-pedis and just focus on what was important.  HER FUTURE

Being a mom has definitely taught me a lot about character.  We have to trust God's will and know that what is meant to be will always shine through.  2017 Junior Prom turned out to be the prom that wasn't but looking back at all the time i spent with my teenager, I REALLY appreciate the bigger picture.  Yes, she would have had a great time.  Yes, she would have been beautiful. Yes, all those memories she would have for years to come.  But what was missing from all, we thought was important?  The bond we have.  The time we spent together!  The conversations we shared. The laughter we had when trying on dresses that were too short, wrong fit, or just not the right one.  Never loose sight of what is important as we move quickly through our day.