The Gold Prom Dress

When I was a senior in high school I was absolutely, positively determined to have the coolest prom dress on the planet.

I didn't want the typical dress from the local mall that every other girl would be wearing. I wanted something unique, different, a stand out. It was my mission --- and you know that nothing stands between a 17 year old girl and her mission.

My family and I were going on spring vacation to Florida and this seemed like the perfect place to find my dress. Although I am not a shopper, I dragged my entire family to many, many malls that vacation. I tried on short dresses, long gowns, Madonna-inspired creations (it was the 80s), and Jessica McClintock Cinderella frocks. None of them worked.

I tried on shiny gowns, black gowns, fluorescent gowns (again, it was the 80s). Nada.

I tried on skinny dresses, big poofy dresses ---- no dice.

My family was beginning to revolt. It looked like we would leave the Sunshine State without my prom dress. As my mother put it, "You're going to look pretty funny at your prom in your birthday suit." (Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom). And then we went into the last store.

There it was. A gold lame (reminder: it was the 80s) creation that was tight in the right places, poofy in the right places, and completely unique and original. It was worth the wait.

Thinking back on this dress has reminded me of many things in life I had to work extra hard to get. My education and subsequent career, my daughter, and yes, that gold prom dress. And although along the way it seemed in all of these situations like I might never make it to the finish line, I did. And the reward was greater than if it had come to me easily.