As promised, today’s post features some prom pictures of a certain favorite daughter of ours.
The prom prep started about 3 pm last Saturday with the arrival of Taylor who came early to assist Sarah with hair and make up–since I am not at all gifted in those areas.
But all the prep was worth it when Steve and I got behold the final unveiling!
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We were delighted to have found a dress for Sarah so easily because it could have been a very complicated process. So many prom dresses are bold, dramatic colors (red, black, fuchsia, purple, etc) but Sarah looks better in softer colors. Also, many of the dresses aren’t suitable from a modesty standpoint because of long slits, short hemlines, and/or plunging necklines.
When we found this dress–affordable, modest and in a lovely, subdued color–we were tempted to dance in the store aisles. (But we didn’t.) Sarah found her evening bag at the same consignment store where we got the dress. (Dress: $27. Purse: $14.)
The pearls were given to Sarah by a sweet blog friend of ours and the shawl came from India, a gift from Sarah’s friend, Victoria. The pearl earrings were on loan from Miss Libby, the wonderful woman in our church who loaned me all of my gorgeous accessories for Nathan’s wedding. (Edited to add: I forgot to mention that Taylor found her dress at Goodwill for $4. She had seen it somewhere else and it was really expensive and she happened to be in Goodwill and found the very dress she wanted–in HER size!)
Sarah, Taylor and I spent an hour driving around Manteo, getting pictures. Because while I can’t do hair and make up, I CAN do pictures!
Here are a couple I took of Taylor that I especially like.
The girls ate in Wanchese (the opposite end of Roanoke Island from Manteo) at a wonderful restaurant called Fisherman’s Wharf. We went around back to take pictures by the water and as we were getting ourselves positioned, I snapped this one of Sarah.
It struck me as an interesting shot because she was so lovely and the scene behind her because was so unlovely. I guess I just loved the contrast. Of course, not-so-lovely spots do provide some wonderful qualities in the area of fresh seafood; the dock behind Sarah is where fishermen unload their catch straight into the restaurant. Food doesn’t get much fresher than that!
Here are a few more photos I took near that restaurant.
I took just one more . . .
before the two of them disappeared up the stairs and into the big adventure of their evening. (Since Taylor has her license, she and Sarah drove to the prom on their own after dinner.)
The Manteo High School proms alternate each year between Jeanette’s Pier and the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. This year it was at the aquarium. This is a wedding reception photo, not a prom pictures but their tables for eating were set up in the same area. Pretty cool, huh?
Sarah ended up staying at the prom about an hour and a half before texting me to be picked up. She said she had a good time but she seemed more than ready to come home. A lot of the kids were going to an all night party at the YMCA (sponsored in part, by local churches) but in Sarah’s words, “You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to go to that.” Sarah doesn’t love large doses of crowds and noise, so her prom experience was just the right length for her.
I have one or two more prom stories to tell but for now I’ll leave you with this lovely photo of our lovely gal.
I am so glad you shared these pictures – they are beautiful. You could make a prom calendar out of them. I love the fact that she knew when she had enough and went home. Those of us that don’t like being out in crowds and social things – it is hard to even just get ready and do it. I commend her!
Sharon,
I commend her, too. For an introvert, going to a prom is a scary thing but I’m so glad she went and, as you said, so glad she knew when to come home. She inspires me and I’m glad to hear she inspires you as well!
Breathtaking :))
Amanda,
So nice to see your name crop up here on my blog! And yes, I would have to agree with the “breathtaking” assessment. 🙂
Such beautiful young ladies. I’m assuming Steve might have to stand guard at the door – some young men will also know those are two beautiful young ladies – inside and out!
Sharyn,
Yes, Steve is preparing his Stern Father Face so that he’ll have it ready for the first young fella that comes knocking at the door. 🙂
Oh and Taylor looked equally gorgeous!! TWO beautiful ladies….inside and out!
Sarah, you have a killer serious look, but look especially beautiful when you smile!! Love the smiling pics! So glad you went and experienced the prom!
LeeAnne,
Sarah’s non-smiling looks sort of alarm me because they make her look so mature and grown up! 🙂 When she smiles I’m like, “Ahhh. I have my little Sarah back.”
Stunning! Congratulations Sarah and family. My favorite pose is 9493. There’s an old-fashioned phrase – “The Belle of the Ball!” 😉
Fred,
I loved that photo, too!
Beautiful photos! Sarah looked lovely in her prom dress!
Thanks, Kristi. I’m so glad she decided to go; getting dressed up is so much fun.
Tears in my eyes. I don’t like the dress on her. It makes her look too grown up. But….she is. Oh, Becky, she’s gorgeous!
Cath,
Yes, she did look VERY grown up that night. I was ever so happy to have her come home and put on her slouchy, comfy clothes and look more like the teenager I am used to!
The girls look so lovely in their dresses! Today I told Mrs. G. how you always find great bargains at your thrift stores, and that we needed to go to Goodwill so I could find a peasant type blouse to wear on Sunday when my church is celebrating Cinco de Mayo at coffee hour. I actually found a new $10 blouse with the tag still on it. I spent $3, so I can’t say that I did as well you guys…, but I can also wear it when I perform for the retirement centers… so, perhaps, that makes it a good deal.
Mrs. Pam
A $3 blouse? That’s a good deal!!
Sarah and Taylor look absolutely lovely. So refreshing to see girls who know what being beautiful means–they make womanhood look good! 🙂
Love deb
Debbie,
Words from my little ol’ sis about my little ol’ daughter always mean so much. Thanks for your comment!
I just read your post about Boston and the marathon. My daughter just ran the Illinois Marathon on Saturday. She finished (running the whole thing) in 4 hours and 24 minutes. Everyone there had Boston on the minds and in their hearts and all the runners wore special stickers in memory of their fellow runners and spectators. They did it for Boston. My daughter knew 9 people at Boston. Almost all were safe. One person she knows lost a limb. God bless them all.
Mary,
So proud of your daughter, not just for running a difficult marathon but for running it in honor of those affected by the Boston bombing. Since she knows so many people there, I know she had an extra special motivation. Good for her!
Such stunningly classy beautiful young women. All prom goers should model themselves after these two – on all levels of life and “prom going.” Sarah, your beauty shines right through.
Mary,
They both made me proud–and both made me smile.
Reading this makes me wish I could rewind the clock for my little girl to be back in high school. :(. She’s 24 now and quite independent sometimes, however there are times she really needs mommy and daddy 🙂
And they both looked beautiful :). Forgot to mention that
Darlene, yes, wouldn’t it be wonderful to rewind that clock a little bit? I love that you said there are times when she still really needs mommy and daddy. I know that must really warm your heart when those times come. Enjoy!
Wow, they both look stunning! 🙂
I really admire the maturity with which Sarah hounours her introverted nature, btw. Not being a huge fan of crowdy social gatherings myself, I remember spending my teen years feeling guilty because I couldn’t behave like most of my friends. I had to reach my thirties to (slowly) accept that I don’t need to be fixed. My only luck was that we don’t have proms in Italy. 😛
Olivia, if you’re on FaceBook, I recommend checking out pages like “The Introvert Entrepreneur” and “Social Introverts.” They post inspiring pictures, quotes, and articles throughout the day and both have a sense of quiet community. Thanks for stopping by!
-Sarah
I am already a fan of The Introvert Entrepreneur, but will surely check Social Introvers. 🙂
Also, a great reading is “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” by Susan Cain. Thanks for the answer!
Olivia,
Glad Sarah had a chance to reply to your comment. Since she and I are both introverts, we know exactly what you’re talking about! Good for you for coming to the realization that you don’t “need to be fixed.” That shows a lot of personal self awareness and maturity.
She looked beautiful. What a perfectly, lovely young woman she is. You and your daughter remind me very much of my mother and I, and it is a delight to read your blog!
Nicole,
Two things to make me smile: 1. Sarah and I remind you of you and your mom 2) It is a delight for you to read my blog.
So happy to know you enjoy it.
Sarah and Taylor are both just beautiful! Also, please tell Sarah that many, many of us appreciate her commitment to modesty!
Angela,
I told her that last night at dinner. And thank you for affirming her in that commitment.
Sarah looked absolutely beautiful, and the dress is just perfect for her. I’m sure she’ll look back on this day in years to come, and be so glad she went. Both girls are such lovely young women, inside and out!
Frapper,
Yes, she really is glad she went even though she had a lot of hesitation about making that decision. Thanks for the sweet comment about her dress–it really was perfect for her!
I’m so glad she went and she looked lovely. The dress was a beautiful color on her. I can’t believe she is old enough for the prom. wow. Becky, your pictures are so interesting, I felt like I was there while perusing them 🙂
Lesley,
Yes, so glad you enjoyed the pictures. I had so much fun taking them–lovely girls and so many lovely backgrounds to choose from!
Sarah and Taylor looked gorgeous!! Your pictures are absolutely fabulous!!
Michelle,
Thanks for your compliment about my pictures. It was so much fun to do something a little different with my photography although I felt a little nervous about photographing a “big occasion!” It’s easier to take pictures of trees and water. 🙂
Sarah looked so gorgeous in her pretty dress all ‘gussied” up as we say 🙂 great pictures too!
Wendy,
Gussied up is a great description! 🙂
She is so beautiful. A princess. I love the color of her dress.
Kim,
A princess, indeed.
PROM!!???!!! Wow, I have missed a lot. It will take a while to catch up but it will be so much fun to do so!
Sarah and Taylor look SO beautiful!! I am glad that she had fun! She will be glad she went to her prom when she is out of high school… 🙂 Can’t wait to hear the other stories!! I love her dress, her shawl, her hair and makeup! She has the whole package!! And the color of her dress is so pretty as well! I might have to hire you to come to my house when Abby goes to the prom, because I am not a photogragher at all!!
Tiffany,
I’m glad she had fun, too, especially since she was pretty hesitant about going. And as for taking pictures of Abby–Mom Pictures are always perfect! 🙂
Beautiful photos, Becky.. of a very lovely young woman. The dress is PERFECT; I’m so glad you found it so easily, and I’m so glad that Sarah decided to go to prom. She’ll never regret going, whether it’s a highlight of her life or not. And I loved seeing the lighthouse in the pictures.. I know where that is! Same with your living room.. it’s so special to have BEEN there! xoxox… can’t wait for more pictures of Sarah’s grand adventures!
Pam,
Yes, I’d say you definitely know where that lighthouse is since you took such amazing pictures of it. That’s a very dear spot, isn’t it?