Categories: uncategorized
Date: 29 July 2006 11:42:35
This is a shameless "mummy's gloating blog".
I was not sure, and am still not sure, what I thought about Tiddles' school's decision to hold a "leavers' prom" at the end of term. Children seem forced into growing up so soon and it seemed to put a lot of pressure on too soon, especially as they'll be doing it all again in three years' time at High School. Something didn't seem quite right about a 13-year-old worrying about what to wear, how to ask someone to dance, what to do about having a "date" for the prom.... I still have mixed feelings, but they were totally irrelevant on the day.
He came home two weeks beforehand beaming from head to toe. After some serious practise with me role-playing the situation (!), he'd finally asked the girl of his dreams to go with him to the prom, and she'd accepted. "I asked her myself, mum. You know how you usually get your mate to ask her mate? Well, I waited until I was dribbling the ball past her in football practice and said 'will you come with me to the prom?' and next time I passed her she said 'yes'!"
Next was the issue of transport. Now this did get a bit silly, with various parents hiring the local limousine company to transport their children to the high-class hotel on the seafront where the dinner-dance was to be held. Finally convinced that the only method of transport on offer was a green Kangoo-mousine, he then decided that it should be bedecked in flowers and ribbons. Hmm...only if you clean and polish it first, my boy!
Clothes next: well, he already had a black suit and had the advantage over many of his peers that he is accustomed to wearing it. I went into town to see if I could get him a bowtie, but instead fell in love with the most gorgeous shirt and tie combination and couldn't resist buying them for him... on the proviso that I could take them back if he refused to wear pink! I needn't have worried - he loved it! Straight away he tried it on and came out of his room to show us the final effect. Honestly, I could have cried. I know he is a handsome lad (mother's pride?) but he really did look so grown up and drop dead gorgeous! My sister was gobsmacked too - in fact, I think Tiddles was when he looked in the mirror! Grandad was almost moved to tears and promptly gave him his gold tiepin as a keepsake. M finished the effect with a handkerchief for the top pocket.
The night arrived and, after a hurried polishing of the shoes (but not of the car!), we were off to the exclusive venue for the night of his life. I stopped the car and pulled into the side of the road just before we got there. "What are you stopping for, mum?" Well, I though you might rather like your kiss here!" I was right. A kiss, a hug, a 'good luck and have a fantastic time' and I was able to drop him off at the door without embarrassment and see my handsome James Bond rival stride off across the road with a confident teenage strut as I sneaked into the crowd of nervous parents where there was a tingle of anticipation similar to that at the school gate on their very first day at school.
The girlfriend came running across to Tiddles and once again my breath was taken away. She looked beautiful! They made a lovely couple, apart from her being substantially taller than Tiddles. ("I danced three slowies with her, mum. It was wonderful. She couldn't put her head on my shoulder, though, cos she'd have had to kneel down!"). Her mum came to join me. "I've just been told I can leave!"
My baby's growing up. If he continues in this way he's going to be a man who makes me so proud.
*wipes motherly tear from corner of eye*