November 28, 2006
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Self Portrait Challenge
(November’s challenge: GLAM)
The Un-prom
In high school I had two very best friends and we did everything together; we crafted and stayed up all night and drank wine and talked about our dreams and watched old movies and took pictures of one another and laughed and laughed and laughed.
It was perfect.
I had a few boyfriends off and on during those years but none could compare to my best girl friends; they just didn’t make me think as deeply or feel as free or as happy. And so I never went to the prom; no-one asked and I might not have gone anyway.
But my sister went to the prom; she was asked every year and the dresses accumulated in her closet like blue little bits of history.
The summer after we graduated, my girl friends and I were sitting around one day and we questioned why no-one ever asked any of us to the prom? Was it because we only danced with each other when we went to dances? Was it because we didn’t show any great interest in mega girly stuff? Was it because we never chased boys around? Did everyone assume we were lesbians because we whispered secrets to each other and were rarely apart?
We could not figure out the answers but we could put on my sister’s dresses and run through the fields and have our very own un-prom.
And we did
(1986)
I remember the day so clearly, how we ran through those back fields, barefoot and laughing because we could.
I had never felt so glamorous, so free, so loved.
Some questions are not meant to be answered,
it is better to live in joy.
Comments (54)
Such a beautiful picture. Perfect Mama, as always!
Easily one of the best “prom” pictures I’ve ever seen.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Julie,
“Some questions are not meant to be answered”
…that is deep… right now, more than ever for me, that speaks loudly.
The picture is beautiful… because you are and more so because you ‘felt’ it.
=)
*sigh* Lovely.
Beautiful. I come to your site often. I love your photos. I usually have the sound off on my work computer…but today I didn’t and discovered you like Patty Griffin too. She my favorite…her music touches me in a way not many do. She has such a way with words…the best time is listening to her while driving all by yourself.
I never went to prom either.
Beyond perfect.
What a great photo. I have said the same about questions. Thanks for sharing
That’s awesome. What a great personal history you have.
Wonderful post…beautiful picture! Really, one of my favorites!
Wow! That is beautiful. Way more fun than the prom.
What a wondefful and glorious idea!!!!
Beautiful photo; beyond words really.
You were “you” even back then, funny how it takes some of us longer to find ourselves. Where are your friends now?
how very lovely
Wow! You have always been amazing! Beautiful story and beautiful picture!
I boycotted prom and I honestly don’t think that either of us missed out on much. That is a lovely picture of you though and I’ll bet that your memory of “prom” is far more touching than many people who went.
The picture is almost as beautiful as it’s history.
How wonderful, both the photo and the story behind it.
Trust me, your memories of that day are WAY better than most “real” prom memories–simply lovely!
I love prom dresses. Really, we should save prom, and the related dresses, until we’re in our thirties and do them as houseparties, maybe as our fortieth birthday parties.
The unprom sounds much better than the real thing!
I love this post. I never commented on your last self portrait challenge, I loved that too by the way!!!!
Cool. I didn’t go to prom either. High school is such a mess. Hopefully our kids can do better.
That would be so much better than the prom! I went,it sucked! Having a special day with your best friends is so much more special!(and my boyfriend wore a freaking TOPHAT and WHITE GLOVES!! Would you really want to be seen with THAT!!)
Oh, that warmed my heart. It sounds fabulous. I didn’t go to my prom either, which is something I’ve actually NEVER regretted-lol!
They didn’t ask because they were scared of the girls who were with-it. You, I imagine, were way with-it. I was asked by the guy I had a big crush on, later to find out that he only asked me because his girlfriend was not allowed to go.
Dag.
For sure better than the prom
Beautiful!
Very cool!
I love your blog! Your prom looks like it was the best.
what a beautiful post! i never went to prom either (was homeschooled) so my best guy friend took me out to a fancy dinner senior year – i wore combat boots with my dress and he wore chucks with his suit. it was awesome. your post makes me want to dig out my dress and try it on. <3
I love your site. It’s so insightful, and it’s nice to see that someone has something meaningful to say that really has the potential to reach people. I’m young, so my own experiences with high school so far seem to sound like th above post….if prom doesn’t work out for me, I think I have an idea what to do instead.
P.S. Your photography is amazing!
Beautiful!
O.O
wow.
You’re amazing. What a lovely idea, and that picture!
I skipped my prom too. Your version is so much better.
I woulda asked you
Wonderful pic
awww love the pic
That is a great story of your childhood, I never went to my prom either. I did get asked but I got married right before prom so that ended that! Have a good day!
So beautiful! I’d say even better than the prom. You are lovely! Be Blessed
That was beautifully written and having never gone to prom myself, it touches me deeply.
Thank you for yet another emotional orgasm.
I love you, too.
WELL, you have always been beautiful…no question there
MOST sheeple only put their best foot forward…but who is willing to put the klunkers up
The mystique of my book has been steadfastly gaining international recognition, so who in their right mind would post a video up like the one above???
Warts and all, i BELIEVE in the TURE self portrait…must’ve picked that up from Howard Stern
Great!!
I went with my best girlfriend to the prom – we designed and made our own dresses. I’ll try to scare up a picture.
not sure why no one asked us either – we went to the rocky horror picture show afterwards – ha!
Wow I think that is really special
Thank you for reminding me what’s important in life. Your thoughtful expression is like heart poetry. God bless. Me
this photo is beaUTful. you look like -which is to say ARE- a godess
OMG Julie!!! That picture is magical!
gorgeous! gorgeous music, too….got my little one dancing : )
Your prom picture is a lot more fun than mine! Girlfriends are magical!
Well, Miss Julie… shoulda done what I did and asked a boy to go with you!!
I asked my crush, and he said yes, and it was WONDERFUL. To this day I haven’t even kissed him, but it was a magical night.
Lovely.
AWWWWW!!! That sounds way better than eating dinner in formal wear and then ditching your dates to dance and go to Bob’s in the limo……
Sometimes I think I lost abit of heart growing up here in SoCal.
Thanks for sharing you with us.
xoxox,
Amy
I absolutely freaking love this! You were all much more centered than any kids I knew in HS. Awesome.