The Limousines Are Busy Tonight

Each year the excitement and traditions to prepare for their high school. The past couple years I have known at least one person going through the motions to select the “perfect” dress and shoes or tuxedo. This year, I decided the aging process might have started to kick in. Oh No!!

I have learned some young men do not wear a full tuxedo anymore and not all the girls dress up like a princess for the evening. This is half the fun. Of course, there are extremes too. I know of girls paying over $300.00 for their prom dress! Yikes! That is more than I paid for my wedding dress but then again, I tend to like what I like and keep it simple.  Twenty-three years ago, I only paid $100.00 for my prom dress, with my parents splitting the cost with me.

They gifted me $100.00 towards all the prom festivities. This included the dress, shoes, jewelry, the limo if I decided to go that route, my ticket if my date was a cheapskate, and dinner before the prom (again, if the date was cheap, lol). I always been a worker and I’m VERY thankful for my parents determination to teach me a good work ethic and the value of the almighty buck. They worked hard for their money and to earn half of most things as I grew up helped me to be who I am today. With my parent’s donation to the “Send Lisa Buske to the Prom” fund and a date to pay for my dinner and the tickets, I knew the items I needed to purchase along with the miniscule amount of money I had saved.

I borrowed jewelry from my Mom and a shawl from my Grandma Mary. My friend and I bought our shoes together on a “Buy 1 get 1 half off” sale, and then split the cost in half. I carried one of my mom’s evening bags from her business dinners with my dad. My dress on the other hand took the wallop of my wallet BUT I loved it. I went through a polka-dot phase and I found a prom dress to fit the style. I did not need a limo, all I needed was a car or a Red Chevy Pick-up (Dad said “No!”, lol) and I was a happy girl.

The Prom is about making memories with your dearest friends from high school. It is one of life’s milestones transitioning us from children to young adults. I am glad I earned my prom and did not take out a private loan to make it happen. We had so much fun, danced all night, and went to one of our friend’s house after the party for a PARENT-CHAPERONED party. It was GREAT!

I hope today’s generation sees the value in using their money for something more important than a dress, limo, or fancy flowers that will die by morning. Do not misunderstand me; I enjoy an evening of playing “princess” as much as the next girl but not at the expense of my bank account or my safety.

Join me in prayer this weekend and the weekends to come for the teens attending prom. May they trust God, respect themselves and others, and save the most precious gift they can give their spouse for marriage. May they all arrive to the prom and return home safely. Thank you for joining me in prayer.