First Prom

Ok, I lied. I wrote about a prom memory before, stating that it was the only song that I associated with my junior prom. I was wrong. While I was sitting here listening to my headphones, Unchained Melody came on, and I was instantly swept back in time to my first prom. Unchained Melody was our prom theme that year. Not because it is a beautiful song, but because it was in Ghost. I already knew the song from growing up with my dad, but the kids I went to school with thought it was some new love song. They didn't know much, apparently.

I remember walking into the reception hall where our prom was being held in my floor length, off the shoulder peach monstrosity of a dress and hearing the song. Who knew that it would forever be etched in my mind? I was nervous, mainly because I knew I would have to dance and I was the queen of toe stepping, but my date took my hand and swept me inside. We didn't even look for our table, he just half-dragged me to the dance floor and twirled me around. Terrified, I took hold of his shoulders and clung for dear life as we swayed and glided across the floor. We were the only ones out there, which made it even worse for me. See, we were the outcasts in school. I was marked as a "stoner burnout" though I had never touched the stuff, and he was...well I don't know what he was. He didn't fit in with the preps or the nerds...he was just HIM..in a class by himself. No less of an outcast though. So you can see why I was petrified, I hope. 

I remember stealing glances at people as we danced, figuring they would be making snide remarks and laughing, but instead everyone was smiling. Maybe being together for something so special turns mean people nice, who knows. The next thing I knew, we were joined by two, then four, then fifteen or more couples. The song ended and we all went off to our assigned tables to enjoy the rest of the night. Of course, they played the song about 60 times that night, but I didn't care. I loved the song, loved my boyfriend, loved the friends I was with. It was one of the best nights of my life. The removing of the garter belt, the giving of the tie...I know I won't ever forget that night. It has been almost 17 years since that night, but I can remember so much about it...songs, jokes, smells...kisses. I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out from all the making out we were doing!

Ahh, to be young again. I am by no means "old" but I sure feel like it sometimes. I'm glad I have music to take me back to the good ol' days. If I didn't...I think I would truly be lost.