Prom 1988: Did I Have the Time of My Life? — Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

I had a very nice prom experience 25 years ago. My BFF John was my date. He was four years older than me so that was cool. He loved to dance so that was cool. He cut a dashing figure in his tuxedo so that was cool. And he was an out gay man so that was cool.

Here’s what I remember

• Buying my dress from a bridal shop near our home called Sadie Marie’s or something like that. It was $200 and that appalled me. They tried to upswell me on everything, but I refused. Ashley Marie’s? Something like that.
• I remember the fuss about dying shoes and a purse, but I cannot remember where I came down on that.
• The prom was at a hotel in Monroeville, I think. We just drove to prom and that was it. Walked it, posed for a photo, then bam … prom.
• I had spent most of the afternoon with my friend Missy. She was really into sophisticated makeup and such. I was not. She did my makeup. I think she was in a fight with her prom date/boyfriend. I was not.
• The theme was “I Had The Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing.
• I remember at our table — my friend Amy and her date, my friend Matt and his date Dena who did not want to be there, my friend Bob who was with my friend Kim as his date, I think. I also think my friend John was at our table with his date Karen who we all knew from CCD but attended a different high school.