A Perennial Rite of Spring

If it's May, it must be time for a prom or two. And I don't mean the Proms held by the BBC, which is the short name for the "World's Greatest Classical Music Festival," held annually in the UK from July to December. No, I mean "proms," the annual formal dances held by high schools, usually for those in their last year or two, i.e., juniors and seniors. Generally, at least one partner in a couple must be a junior or senior, although that person may invite a younger schoolmate, e.g., a freshman or sophomore, as a date.

Even in my long-ago heyday, these dances were major social productions, often causing heartache among those of us girls who did not have "steady" dates or brothers with friends who could be counted on to invite us. And yes, in those days, it was not considered "proper" for girls to invite boys. Thank God, fashions seem to have changed for the better in that respect! In fact, it seems to be more the thing these days for couples to go in friendly groups, which is better yet, IMO. What also has changed is that where we kids - even those of us who were not among the attendees - used to spend a lot of time and effort decorating our respective high school gymnasiums for these galas, classes now reserve space at major catering establishments or hotel ballrooms. Where the guys used to dress in suits, they now wear formal tuxedos, albeit rented ones for the most part. Gals still seem to choose medium-long to long formal dresses for the most part, although in my day, we would often sew our own dresses.

Thus, it happened that last weekend, our grandchildren, the Double Cs who with their father visited me in Switzerland in the summer of 2010, both attended their high school Prom. As with the littlest grandkids, they are growing up too fast! While Prince C, posing here proudly with his date, was able as a junior to attend in his own right

Princess C, still a sophomore, may have had to rely on one of her brother's classmates for an invitation. Here she and her date pose beside the immense Hummer stretch limousine that ferried the group to the festivities and back.

In my day, it was a treat for our dates to be able to use their parents' cars, generally more luxurious than the jalopies most drove as a rule. Now, limousines are de rigueur. Here is a peek inside this particular limo.

This "stretch" limo was needed because there was literally a small throng to be ferried off. Before getting into the limo, the young ladies graciously posed for their parents to take photos

while the young gentlemen were only to happy to doff their jackets to display the colored vests that were carefully coordinated with their partners' gowns.

There was one more ensemble pose to show the size of the limo, just in case anyone had missed it,

and then they were packed inside, somewhat like sardines, to enjoy the ride to the Prom.

I understand that a good time was had by all. But I wonder whether the Prom itself was somewhat anticlimactic after such magnificent preliminary festivities.