Prom Night

When Kenzie was young, I hung out with a group of Moms who also had kids with down syndrome. We spent a lot of time talking about our hopes and dreams for our children and trying to imagine their future.

Last night was Mackenzie's prom. After all the excitement was over and I was laying in bed  last night, I realized that all my hopes and dreams for this evening had come true.

She experienced all the excitement, celebration and love that every graduate should feel on such an evening. She looked and felt like a princess, she was surrounded by people who were proud of her and celebrated her achievements. There was romance in the air and a protective father (or two) hovering nearby.

The day began with a trip to the salon where she underwent a transformation that all women dream about. Her hair was sprayed, curled, twisted and pinned into her crowning glory. Her makeup was perfect. When she got home and slipped into her dress, shoes and earrings, she was more than ready!

Oh but wait! we almost forgot one thing...

Now we are ready!

A limousine ride had been arranged by one of the parents. This included taking a group of kids down to the legislative grounds for pictures and then a cruise up and down Whyte Avenue for the traditional honking and waving that grads like to do in this town.

Us parents met the graduates at the convention centre for the official start. All the kids looked wonderful - so happy, excited and proud. We parents alternated between looking proud and a bit stunned!

Kenzie couldn't wait for her Dad to show up. There is something in every little girl that seeks her fathers approval and love. Well, he showed up, and she got it. He kept telling her how beautiful she looked and how proud he was of her. Even when she wasn't around he said he loved her dress and that it was absolutely stunning and perfect for her. Every picture of them together shows the pride on his face, and no more so than the first dance when grads danced with their parent.

Of course, dancing with your parent is exciting. Thrilling even. But nothing, and I mean nothing, beats dancing with a young man. A young man your parents said would have to wait for you until you graduated. A young man you are not allowed to date until you are 18. A young man who has been telling you how pretty you are. A young man who makes you feel all twitterpated.


Oh yeah. Dad? Dad Who?

Of course, that was not the last dance of the evening. Not by far. There were fast dances, slow dances, robot dances, group dances and slow dances to fast music. Whether dancing with her beau or with a group of friends, she didn't want to stop.


One of the highlights for me was when the night was almost over. Her friend had left and so had most of the attendees. A few clusters of dancing groups were left on the dance floor. She had come to sit with us and rest. Then, the Village People started to sing YMCA. She popped up from her seat and without a word to us, headed out to the dance floor by herself. We laughed and commented that she didn't need anyone to dance with to have fun. Before she had been out there a moment or two, a guy from one of the groups came over to her and started dancing and showing her how to do the YMCA hand signals. After the dance was over, he bent down, gave her a hug and disappeared. Another song started and a group of girls pulled Kenzie into their circle and she continued dancing.

The ease and self-confidence my daughter displays astounds me. I'm sure that when I was her age, I didn't have it as together as she does!

Year ago, I wished for happiness, acceptance and as normal a life as possible for my beautiful baby girl. Last night I watched a fairytale come to life.