Can Prom *BE* any more of a bust?

Parent Cafe
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<p><em>sigh</em></p>

<p>Hi y’all~</p>

<p>Well, here it is…the weekend my daughter has been waiting for all year. SENIOR PROM! Great, right??? NOT.</p>

<p>It’s April 13th, and I’m looking out the window to see what? Not the 70-degree days of LAST WEEK. Nope. Try SNOW. In APRIL. In KANSAS. Virtually unheard of.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, my daughter got sick with the flu. The WINTER kind of flu. The flu that comes with fever, chills, body aches, respiratory crud, etc. THAT flu. And guess what??? She’s STILL SICK and hacking all over the place. And Prom’s tomorrow night. NO WAY will she be well by then… :(</p>

<p>Can it get any worse? Yep. My college son, who has been in a 2.5 year relationship with his gf who is a h.s. senior and best friend of my D, was to fly in for prom tonight. We decided to splurge for this…to bring him home for the weekend for Senior Prom as it meant a great deal to his gf. Well, he was supposed to fly through DFW, and the weather there is atrocious. Storms, tornadoes, strong winds, baseball-sized hail. His flight was delayed, and as they were calling it to board, his daddy and I got cold feet and told him NOT to do it. Chances are, even if the plane was able to land safely at DFW (which was highly questionable, at least to US), he would most likely have missed the connecting flight. I feel wretched…and SO guilty. HE wanted to come, his GF wanted him to come, but we could not bring ourselves to have him fly into the storm systems that are hovering in the midwest right now and put this dance above our better judgment and his safety. But I still feel just awful. :(</p>

<p>So, now the gorgeous dress that I splurged on for my D sits waiting to get dragged through the muddy slush that will cover the ground by tomorrow, my son’s gf’s gorgeous dress sits waiting for…for no one special to see. And my daughter will have to carry cough drops and Kleenexes tucked into her little handbag, along with her little mirror and lipstick.</p>

<p>These girls waited and waited and waited for Prom. Whispered and giggled and planned and shopped. Nothing was left to chance. Nothing, except unpredictable spring weather and a host of germs.</p>

<p>Sympathy welcomed…and appreciated.</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>I’m sooooo sorry berurah! I know your daughter is crushed as is gf. Hopefully your d. will feel some better by tomorrow and can enjoy at least part of prom night before she tires out.</p>

<p>Hugs to you and the girls.
K.</p>

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<p>Awwww, those poor girls. This is Terrible with a capital T. Is there anyway your son could catch a flight tomorrow AM or is the weather supposed to be bad all day? Try to dose your D up as best you can. They say you always remember your senior prom. These girls sure will and not fondly.</p>

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<p>Ouch, sorry to hear that…maybe in a few weeks, when your daughter is feeling better, and your son is home for the summer, maybe they can do something big and formal with a limo, etc. They can go to a nice dinner or something like that. It’s not a prom, but it’d be better than nothing.</p>

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<p>mkm~</p>

<p>Thanks <em>SO</em> much…your hugs have made me feel better already. S’s gf just came over, and though teary, she’s being just wonderful about this. She loves him enough to understand why his dad and I made the decision we did.</p>

<p>

hey, cmb~
He technically COULD fly in tomorrow…in fact, American Airlines had already offered no hassle schedule changes for anyone flying into CO, TX, or OK. The problem is that he’d spend most of the day in transit and then have to turn around and do that again the next day. Also, the weather is not supposed to improve until Sunday. His schoolwork keeps him so busy that he can’t be completely wasted from the weekend…</p>

<p>

bing~
You think <em>JUST</em> like my D!!! She is already planning “Prom II,” which will take place when my son finishes his semester! Formals and all–and hopefully cough drops and Kleenexes left at home! :)</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>berurah</p>

<p>So sorry!
Can the gorgeous prom dresses be kept for a post graduation dance? It won’t be the prom, but perhaps other parents will decide to hold one also. The weather should be fine by then (it better be!) And your S could be home then also. But what a bummer! Lots of chicken soup for your D…
Crossposted with Bing. Great minds…</p>

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<p>Just a hopeful thought here — Any chance the prom will be rescheduled? That happened in our town this year. A terrible March storm rolled in and the junior prom was rescheduled. </p>

<p>This really stinks, berurah. I hope they can salvage the evening with some dancing & a few laughs. Take plenty of pics to send to your son.</p>

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<p>The later formal party sounds like a super idea! Treat them to a limosine and a fancy meal, even if it is at a friend’s house, you and the other parents could cater it in the garden! There will be more memories from the mishap than from what might have been! Hugs to all affected and disappointed parties! Lorelei</p>

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<p>Prom II…an absolutely perfect idea!
lemons into lemonade
snow into …snowcones?</p>

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<p>I’m so sorry, berurah! I hope your daughter feels better soon! I must live near you, because we have saucer-sized snowflakes tumbling down right now - with crazy thunder! I think you made the right decision re: the flight. Shows what a responsible parent you are - and I know it was a tough decision to make! Maybe you could throw a fun, inexpensive prom-like party after the weather calms down and your daughter is feeling better? Everything this year (Senior year) seems so critical to our kids because it’s the “last” of each event. That only adds salt to their wounds when things like illness and weather get in the way. :(</p>

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<p>Aww berurah {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!!!</p>

<p>It’s snowing here too, but no flu and no missed prom. I agree with others that you could make a party later to wear the gowns to. A potluck BBQ in your back yard could be as fun as anything. I never went to prom myself and I turned out pretty good. At least I think so…</p>

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<p>Berurah, this all just means that when the bad weather clears, and the germs pack up and move on, and this group is finally able to get together when the sun is shining and everyone feels great, and they’re going to have ten times as much fun together…</p>

<p>Everything is going to be o.k. :)</p>

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<p>Oh wow-- what a bummer! So does that mean you can make your world famous biscotti and come hang at our party? :D</p>

<p>We went to a family event in Minneapolis one late spring (May, if I recall) and there was a prom being held at the hotel as well that night. Well, you guessed it-- MAJOR snowstorm that night. HUGE snowflakes- 6" of snow. these poor girls in their heels and spaghetti strap dresses. I felt so bad for them. But, they all seemed to have a good time regardless… If your dau is able to stuff herself full of cold medicine (be sure to have her use stuff that lasts 12 hrs- not 4 hr. stuff. That will wear off) she’ll have fun. And what bettter excuse to stuff tissues in ones… well, you know! :)</p>

<p>So who will escort s’s gf to her prom? Can one of your other boys step in? Will she just go with a crowd? Don’t rule out letting s fly in tomorrow. It will be a hassle and a quick turn around, but the memories will last a lifetime. And these kids are so resilient. He wont mind the air travel. Good luck!</p>

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<p>so sorry Berurah–what a disappointment. Can he catch an early morning flight or will the weather still be miserable? The kids will love to put all their finery on again and have a repeat of prom when your son gets home–perhaps take up an entire restaurant, charge 10-15 to help with expenses and invite lots of their friends. You could have a dj and streamers. Our local community centers rent for a reasonable amount.</p>

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<p>Ohhhh Nooooo… I am so sorry to hear this. I don’t know who to feel badly for first, your daughter with the flu, your S waiting at the airport, his no doubt VERY disappointed GF, or YOU, knowing how badly you feel for all of them. BIG HUGS your way, hon.</p>

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<p>Oh, MANNNNNNNN. It would be awesome if things clear enough for him to fly in tomorrow. Others are right–kids are resilient…flying in for the prom and out the next day is just like a rock-star. Hope D can get some relief from her symptoms (make sure and get the good stuff from behind the counter at the pharmacy—all the rest of the stuff is worthless)…hopefully the adrenaline will let her have a good time. Keep us all informed!!!</p>

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<p>Dear Berurah,</p>

<p>I feel for you, your D, your S and his GF!!! What a bummer!</p>

<p>I am in Dallas, and I would have done the same thing you did about the flight had it been my son…Horrible weather was predicted and did come through…I’m sure the airport was a nightmare today. We had it all…tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and huge hail (As my 12 year-old nephew put it, “Hail the size of Michael’s head is coming down!”…Michael is his four-year old brother).</p>

<p>Fortunately, I don’t think there have been any fatalities or serious injuries due to the weather.</p>

<p>I am sure Prom II will be a hit!</p>

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<p>

marite~
Thanks so much for the sympathetic thoughts. They truly mean a lot. The girls are already tallking about holding a Prom II, in which they go out to a fancy-schmancy dinner all dolled up in their prom dresses, and then find something fun to do after that. But, half the fun of buying the dresses at the frou-frou boutique that they shopped at is showing them off to all the other girls. For the first time EVER (and probably for FOREVER), I allowed her to shop at this special boutique that actually writes down what dress you bought and will not sell it to anyone else at your school after that! <em>ROFL</em> So, of course, when I spring for that, all hell breaks loose…<em>sigh</em> Both girls will go to prom, somehow, some way, but they’ll still do the Prom II when my son can be here to go with the group! :)</p>

<p>

Don’t I WISH!!! Our school district would NEVER do anything that made THAT much sense <em>ROFL</em>. But it’s funny that you posted that because RIGHT before I saw your post, I had just said that to my D and my S’s gf!!!</p>

<p>lorelei~
Thanks <em>SO</em> much, sweetie, for the hugs and suggestion! I <em>really</em> like the limo idea–may have to put that into operation for Prom II!</p>

<p>

sax~
Despite my rotten mood, this post made me SMILE MAJORLY!!! Thanks for that!!! :smiley: :smiley: :D</p>

<p>

CDB~
That you think we made the right decision means so much to me. I was <em>SO</em> conflicted over this–spent 1.5 hours with my son on the phone hashing this out, and in the end, as he was left standing there after everyone had boarded the plane, I could just FEEL his utter disappointment. After seeing footage of Dallas on the news tonight, though, I felt a bit better about my decision. Better safe than sorry about covers it. Hope your weather gets better soon!</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>

<em>ROFL</em> bethie!! :smiley: I’ll definitely take your word for it! Thanks for the hugs, sweetie! I’m feeling so much better already thanks to my CC compadres! Hope you don’t get snowed in too badly! I don’t think ours will stick, though it was coming down like crazy tonight!</p>

<p>

Awwwwwwww, thanks honey! I definitely needed the infusion of perspective tonight! You’re right…things will look much better soon, and we’ll just have to make the best of a bad situation for now.</p>

<p>

<br>
Oh, believe me, I’d love NOTHING better!!! What else is there to do in this kind of weather besides BAKE!! :confused: </p>

<p>

OMG!!! <strong><em>ROFLMAO</em></strong> Trust me, no can do with this D!! </p>

<p>

Well, as if enough hasn’t gone wrong. My son’s local best friend usually escorts S’s gf to dances while he’s away, but since he thought S was coming in, he <em>JUST</em> accepted an invitation from another girl who’s just a friend. I mean, just DAYS ago. <em>sigh</em> Sooooooooo, we have a couple of other ideas in the works, and I’ll let you know if any pan out…</p>

<p>

Our weather is not supposed to get much better until Sunday. Also, he only had three hours sleep last night, so he was counting on getting in tonight and sleeping a good part of the day tomorrow. With those two issues, he’ll probably just not come in…<em>sigh</em> Thanks for the suggestion about the community center!! I may just check that out. I think they’d have a blast with that!</p>

<p>

Hey roshke! Thanks so much for the hugs–I really needed 'em! You’re right about how I feel…just AWFUL and <em>SO</em> guilty for being the one to make this very difficult decision. S’s gf came over tonight for some TLC and stayed until just a short time ago. D painted everyone’s nails and got that out of the way for prom (she’s REALLY GOOD at both hair <em>and</em> nails!). All in all, I think S’s gf handled this very, very well, though I know her little heart is breaking.</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>

<em>ROFL</em>!!! Soooooooooooo true!!! Quite the jet-setting life! Thing is, my son only has about three more weeks of school as it is! I was really torn about having him make this trip under the best of conditions, but I understood why his gf wanted him to, and he wanted to do it for her. But with this weather…oy. Do you have any suggestions for a really good decongestant/cough reliever?? What should I ask for? She’s gonna need something REALLY strong to make it through dinner, the prom, <em>and</em> the afterprom! :eek:</p>

<p>

OMG!!! <em>ROFL</em> at your darling little nephews! :slight_smile: I am <em>really</em> relieved to hear that you feel we were justified in our decision. I kept seeing shots of Dallas on the news, and it was terribly unnerving. I just wasn’t willing to take the chance that it would all have blown over by the time his plane arrived. I heard on the latest news that there was actually one fatality and five or six injuries. I so hope that that number doesn’t increase. We actually used to live in Arlington–were there at the time that a flight crashed at DFW due to wind shear. I guess that image was going through my mind when I made the decision. Hope Dallas recovers quickly and doesn’t get any more severe weather. </p>

<p>~berurah</p>