1980 and 1981 Prom Memories

Do you remember this little flower here on the right? Baby's Breath. Or, the bouquet filler. Back in my day, EVERYONE wore it in their hair. OH, we were sooooooooooo creative.

With all of Taylor's prom preparations this week, I've found myself reliving a few of my memories of prom. It's been quite a few years now, and many of my memories have faded. I do remember quite a few things though, and before I forget any more of them, I figured I'd share them! Of course, as with anything and any of my stories that are 25 years old, I tend to embellish. That being said...

During my junior year, I was "slated" to go to prom with Pete Grimes. (remember this name, there will be another blog about him at some point) Pete was a senior, so I had to ask him. A week prior, we had a misunderstanding, and I took back the invite. (BIG MISTAKE FOLKS) So, there I was a week before prom with no date. I ended up going with Joey Armstrong. (how great is that name?) We went "as friends" as he was dating another girl at the time, but she was not allowed to go to prom. (her name was Eva Carson, she was the baton twirler at our school)

I wore a very boring white Gunne Sax dress. I had baby's breath in my hair. My hair was ONE color. (gasp!) I looked like a big bowl of vanilla ice cream. BLAND.

At dinner, I walked up to the salad bar with my date, tripped and fell right into the retractable plates. Embarrassment number 1. I wore shoes similar to this (complete with the white color) and couldn't walk to save my life. How do you think I did dancing?

Prom was fun, my best friend was on the court. SHE looked pretty that night. I honestly don't remember if I danced, but I had no disappointments at the actual prom. Joey was a fun date, NO pressure at all. I remember feeling close to my friends that night.

After prom was awful. Just awful. A-W-F-U-L. All I could think about was how much better it all would have been had I gone with Pete Grimes. Enough of that year.

SENIOR PROM! I moved my senior year, and thus, didn't know that many folks. Again, I asked my date to the prom. Catch a load of his name: Robert Rupert. Robert and I had gone to elementary school together and both moved to St. Louis our senior year. So, we hung out together more by necessity, than desire. I wore THE most hideous dress. I am 5'4 and somehow I thought THIS would look good on me? ( NOTE: this is not me, but another poor soul on the Internet with a similar dress)

My date was 2 hours late picking me up. (he locked his keys in the trunk of his car, and apparently never passed a phone on the way to pick me up) There are no photos of the two of us together, as my dad was so angry, he had to stay upstairs when he did finally arrive.

He gave me a corsage of white carnations. Thanks for all the thought you put into that one dude.

Again, I had BB in my hair.

Again, it was BROWN.

We were so late, that our dinner was cold.

Robert Rupert was the same height as me, and because I had a hoop dress on, it was impossible to dance.

The prom queen wore the same dress as me, but she was 5'9 and GORGEOUS. (and tan)

I wore overalls after the prom.

And still had the BB in my hair.

I guess these memories are why I worry for Taylor and her prom. I'm sure I'm living vicariously through her. I know one thing, I'm not letting anyone go NEAR her with baby's breath.