The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,
Last year, I found some of your classmates on Instagram. I found them by searching for EC Glass and Class of 27. Of the people I found, I have no idea if they were your friends or not. But I looked at their photos anyway hoping to see you somewhere in there. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a photo of you. On Instagram, I followed some of the students and kept hoping to see you, but I suppose it’s pointless now. I guess I’ll just unfollow them. I knew my idea was unlikely to work, but it was worth a shot.

Anyway, I noticed in the past few days that those EC Glass students are posting prom pictures. I strongly suspect that you’re skipping the tradition entirely, as well as many other high school traditions. I wish I could sit down with you and listen to you explain it all.

I’m sorry you’re missing so much. The prom isn’t the most important thing in the world. But it’s a part of life when you’re a teenage girl. In my (useless) opinion, you’re entitled to enjoy a few things in life like the prom, if you wanted it. As your dad, I’d love to see you in a formal dress with some nervous boyfriend; a real American tradition.

I went to the prom in 10th, 11th and 12th grades. I remember my junior prom because I was dating a senior and all she could talk about was how excited she was to go off to college the following year. At our prom, she met someone who was attending her future university, and ignored me so she could talk to him. We later argued on the dance floor. That was pretty much the end of that relationship. Looking back, it was funny because it was so absurd.

Mary Lynn and me at my Junior Prom in 1986

Anyway, it would have been nice to see you go off with your friends to enjoy your prom.

Whatever you’re doing now, I hope you’re happy. You deserve so much more.

Dad