by Pileated

Created on: May 12, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The Swiss-German Philosopher Friedrick Nietzsche once said, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger". He was speaking of war and adversity, but he could have been speaking about dating and prom nights. The setting was my junior year in high school. Like many kids my age, I had little to no experience in dating, no girl friend and no idea what was involved in preparing for a prom. Yet, like a first kiss, I felt prom night was one of those "rights of passage" that I had to experience.

The first task was to secure a date. My first attempt was aimed at Sally Hendrickson in my journalism class. We had collaborated on several articles and I thought she was easy and fun to talk to. I approached her after class, and, unfortunately just as her boy friend was walking down the hall. Journalism had taught Sally to use words efficient and she was an "A" student. In reply to my question, she simply introduced me to her boyfriend. Nothing more needed to be said.

My second attempt was focused on Gail Rice, a girl in my Chemistry lab. We had talked some, and I helped her wash her equipment once. She seemed nice. It was a start. Three weeks prior to the prom, I asked her and she said yes! I suggested we go out on a date prior to the prom, just to get to know each other. Although I thought I detected a little hesitancy in her voice, she agreed. My confidence was soaring. We went out for an ice cream cone and put-put golf. After making my initial preparations, reserving a tux, and planning the pre-prom date, I found out that she had been waiting for an invitation from a college boy she knew. I unwittingly became the bait that spurred him into action. Amazingly, she didn't have trouble explaining it to me. She must have had practice.

I had run out of girls on my "short list". I was down to cold calling. After several attempts, most of which ended with something like "that's OK, I understand", Jill Snoden (I got her name from the year book) said yes!

We made plans for our pre-prom date. She seemed as excited as I was nervous. I kept it simple. We went to a movie (if we couldn't talk, at least we could sit in the dark and watch the movie) and then a snack afterwords. Before the night was over, I could tell that I was starting to like Jill and I was comfortable. She listened, talked (but not too much) and didn't seem to have any weird habits. The next date would be the prom!

I wanted to make our prom night special. I planned the day. In the afternoon we would go skating at the park.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>