Protocol

Our little Christian high school does not have a prom.  We do have a protocol evening.  The kids spend several classes learning how to behave at a formal dinner.  They learn how to have a good conversation, and how to socialize with grace.  They then get all dressed up for an evening out.  They are assigned escorts from the class, and the escorts are changed once during the evening.  They look forward to this event, much like I did prom, back in the day.

Madie had made her dress this year.  It looked lovely.  I had a friend make jewelry to match, which I really loved.  The evening went well.  The weather was amazing, which was quite a blessing for this spring.  Madie's escorts were good friends that she really enjoys being around.  I wished I could have been there, but Rick had received a staff award earlier in the day, so he was busy.  The younger children had their final music class, and we had Jr. High track.  It was a full day, and I was sorry to have missed it.  I sent Madie with my phone so she could send me pictures, but she didn't find it in her book bag.  The waiting was killing me.

I love these little occasions to be an adult for the evening.  One of the guys got all dressed up and then was playing basketball while he was waiting.  I had to chuckle.  There were some pretty goofy pictures from the evening that left us all relieved that they are still our kiddos.  It is just shocking how they go from toothless first graders to handsome men and women in ten years.  I love this crazy journey of childhood.

#462-474

Good friends who've got your back, literally.

Shiny jewelry.

Fancy dinners.

Good friends hanging out.

Proud parents snapping photos like the paparazzi.

Awards given for a job well done, for years on end.

Nesradine singing in the bathroom, making many men smile for the rest of the day.

Supervisors that support employees year in and year out, becoming good friends.

Watching children grow.

Treasures discovered on the playground, and the children that share them.

Singing happy birthday to classmates.

Making new friends.