So spring is here - that time of year when flowers are in bloom, the snow is all melted, school is almost at an end, and, most importantly, High Schoolers everywhere are stressing out over one magical night of awkward slow dances, expensive dresses and restaurant reservations. Yes folks, it's prom season. Ugh. Now don't get me wrong, I like lots of things about the prom. And it can be pretty fun, what with the dancing, and the dresses, and the punch (alright, the punch isn't that awesome). After all, where else can you have an excuse to ride in a limo, spend hours on your hair, and pay way too much for shoes you'll only wear once and let's be honest, you'll kick under a table during the first fast song anyway? Prom is that one occasion where almost everyone participates. Even the 'I'm-too-cool-for-the-prom' people end up showing up at some point. And so what if they're wearing crazy makeup and duct-tape dresses, they're still there, they still get into it. Prom is sort of a big equalizer - the nerds go, the jocks go, the hippies go, everyone is there trying to have that quintessential High School moment: the perfect prom experience.

The problem is that there is no perfect prom. And while the dance may be fun, all the crap that comes with it isn't. I'm talking about the stuff before the prom: trying to find a dress, trying to find shoes, trying to find a date. Of course, the date is always the hardest part. Will your crush ask you? Or will some skanky guy you've been trying to avoid ask you first? Should you ask someone? Or should you hold out, just in case the hottest guy in school has finally noticed you and decided you're a goddess and worthy of being a prom date? But, let's face it, that never happens - at least not for me. Usually I just wait too long and end up having to go with my cousin. Well, ok, maybe not my cousin, but definitely not my first choice. Take all this anxiety over a date and mix it with expectations about what the 'perfect prom experience' is supposed to be and you're often left with a less than stellar time.

I've been to two different proms in my short High School career: once when I was a freshman and got asked by an upper classman, and once when I was a sophomore and went with some dorky family friend who lives in another town and whose date ditched him at the last minute. I was the only replacement. Needless to say, neither of us had an amazing time. Unless of course you think sitting in a corner all night while your date tries to hit on another girl (who's obviously uninterested) is fun. Which I really, really hope you don't. Obviously, that prom sucked. But the first prom was kind of fun. I didn't have to think about any of the details and I had a pretty good time - at least at first. Over the course of the night, however, my date got more and more grabby. Apparently he thought that since he paid for the limo, I was obligated to sleep with him. I disagreed, and we parted on unfriendly terms.

From experience, I've learned that when you expect something to go a certain way, it usually goes the complete opposite. Prom is the perfect example of this. The word inspires thoughts of taffeta dresses, smiling couples and epic moments on the dance floor. The reality is often a sleazy date, a dress that five other girls are wearing, and cheesy dance songs. And yet, as much as I moan and groan, I am still hopelessly excited for the prom. I mean, I'm not excited about the drama of shopping and finding a date, but I am looking forward to the dancing, the glitter, and hanging out with my friends. I guess as long as you go to the prom knowing that it won't be this 'perfect' moment, you really will be able to have a great time. At least I hope so. And so, my new philosophy is to try to ignore my own expectations for prom and just buy a feather boa, strap on some high heels and rock out. Wish me luck.