tHERsDay: Prom Dress Shopping

Prom Dress Shopping with my daughter. Typically atypical, as usual. That's what makes my life the greatest life I could imagine. Because it's not what I ever imagined. I've always loved surprise endings and plot twists.

In preparation for their big Prom in a few weeks, CB's school offered gently used, generously donated dresses and a space to "shop" with parents to avoid the stressors of regular department stores, crowds, and unenlightened sales people. It's also easy on the wallet as the only expense involved is cost of alterations and cleaning.

Not what I pictured dress shopping with my teenage daughter would be. As you can see, a few smaller sized dresses hung on the shower bar of the little bathroom.



The A.D.L. room (for those not in the know, that is the room to practice Daily Living Skills) had racks of clothes, coffee and cake for the Moms, wonderful and happy staff helping out and an energy so positive, you could feel the air vibrating against your skin.

Not what I pictured, but when CB was brought from her class into the room to find me there, I got one of the biggest hugs and smiles I've received from her in a long time. And when she hugs me like that, I never let go first.

Someone once told me "She would have been so pretty." They were mistaken. She already is.






She was getting really pissy by the fourth dress. Getting dressed is not her thing. She wanted to go home. Some of the cubicle walls went flying. But she hung in there, glowing despite herself in gown after gown.





Though the girl looked gorgeous in everything, all 5 foot 3 and 85 pounds of her, we settled on a pale pink 2-piece, simple number that reminded me of old Hollywood meets hip teen. There was something fragile about her in it. Something innocent and vulnerable. Like an infant's first smile. A lily freshly bloomed. A heart undefended. Plus, it was the only one that didn't need alterations. Man, she is tiny!

My lovely girl.


Fear not: On the night of the prom we'll forgo the black socks and hair scrunchy. The hand stims will stay though. You can dress her up, but you can't stop the hands from flappin'.

Not what I thought it would be. But just as good. Just as beautiful.