Seth Kinast’s Blog

The word applies to everything about that night. The dance, the food… but most of all, the girl.

I found out a couple weeks prior that I was going to be able to take Kristen to her senior prom after all. Originally she was going with a guy from her class, but I guess he got a girlfriend in between the time he asked her and prom. So even though she had already planned on going with him, she was kind enough to step down and say “it’s okay; you go with your girlfriend instead.”

His loss.

I drove down April Fools’ Day after classes. About halfway there, I called her house and asked to talk to her. When she picked up, I put on a worried voice and told her I had a problem… my car had broken down, I couldn’t get a bus, couldn’t get the car fixed for a week, didn’t know how I was going to be able to make it down there. Silence. Then I thought I heard a sob and freaked out (“oh no, gotta tell her fast, gotta tell her fast”). She asked, “So… what are you going to do?” “Oh… tell you it’s April Fool’s Day today?” “AHHHHHHH!”

I met her at the mall when I got back and walked around with her for awhile as she shopped for earrings. Slept in late, got some work done, then drove over to pick her up around 5:00. Got gushed over by her parents and Eric & Faith for a bit… Kristen looked so pretty. As you soon shall see. I wouldn’t tell her where I was taking her for dinner but instead just set out. 15 minutes later we arrived at the Red Onion, where we got Tuxedo Chicken (fettucine with bowtie pasta, so good). We went afterwards to my grandma’s house and saw my family, then over to the mall to show Kristen’s hairdresser how wonderful she looked. The hairdresser was this hilarious black lady— lots of “soouuuuul”. She looked me up and down a few times then whispered exaggeratedly to Kristen: “THIS one’s a keeper!”

Made it to prom by 7:15 or so and met some of Kristen’s friends. We had the “Grand March”; everyone walked down the aisle when their names were announced. Then upstairs for pictures and dancing. Some of the songs were just obnoxious (I made sure to shuffle the girl off the floor for those) but others were just fine. Since I’ve been taking this ballroom dancing class, I didn’t feel quite so awkward as I would have otherwise. On some of the slower songs, of course everyone began slow dancing (“slow skating” as Kristen and I called it). No movement of anything, just rocking back and forth. I taught her a bit of rhumba and started dancing REAL dances with her; we did some cha cha and salsa later as well! Good times; everyone was watching us

After prom we went to the bowling alley for a little bit just to make an appearance, then I took her home. Best prom I’ve ever been to, thanks in no small part due to there being no one I’d rather spend time with than Kristen. I’ve been in such a wonderful mood all this week, and pictures even came in yesterday! So without further ado, here are a few pictures

I should really get that gallery set up… :/

Prom 2005 Pictures