In our town, there is a tradition that before the actually prom event, all the couples gather on the town square for a group picture, and a "stroll." As the prom goers are announced, they walk under an ivy-swagged arch and then proceed to "stroll," in full formal wear, down a pathway the length of the square. Multi generational crowds cordoned off on both sides snap pictures, greet the graduates, enjoy the spring air and and this milestone in these young people's lives. It's an interesting cross between nostalgic Americana and Hollywood red carpet.

I have a son, but what I hear from those with daughters, the current ideal for the girls is custom dresses ordered months ahead of time from a boutique that keeps track of each school and each girl's orders to avoid duplication. This is followed by buying shoes, jewelry, possibly some spray tanning sessions, manicure and pedicure, possibly a salon updo and maybe even professional make up.  I'm glad I have a son. I made my own prom dresses, and I recall, the amount we spent for the pattern and fabric for one of them, a medium purple silk brocade number with a bit of a mandarin theme that I didn't like much when it was completed, around $21, my mother found a bit over the top. She'd have apoplexy at the mere thought of the expenses some of these girls are incurring now. I don't think I love that piece of the modern prom.

What I do love is that no one seems to really be concerned if they have a "date." Most of the kids go as couples, but the large majority of the pairings are friends. My son and the young woman he went with were one of those many friendly pairings. What a sensible way to do this. Just be right out front about the fact that boys would like to go with girls, and girls would like to go with boys, but you didn't have to act head-over-heels with each other all night just because you're paired up this way.

In my day, if a girl didn't get invited, she didn't go. And how uncomfortable to have to say yes to the first guy that did ask, and spend this big night faking you had some sort of romantic interest in him, when more often than not, you didn't. In fact, having to slow dance with him, and have the poor fellow's sweaty hands on your dress while your head rested somewhere near his overheated neck and you inhaled his general odor of discomfort, could be one step away from repulsive — at least it could be for me, the Pisces Sun, Gemini Moon girl with the resultant completely split personality. As badly as I wanted the security of being part of a couple, I wanted independence and the option of enjoying that formal night without being chained down to someone I barely knew or especially enjoyed. So wonder of wonders when last night I observed more than a few girls going without "dates" of any kind, Romeo or friend. What freedom! To see last night, for instance, a particularly attractive, tall, erect, young woman, hair done in a tasteful updo, wearing a flesh-satin lined black spaghetti-strap gown with lace insets, strolling comfortably and easily down the walk with her girlfriends, and no male escort, made my very soul take flight! I'm not imagining that she didn't perhaps harbor some disappointment about not having Romeo by her side, but the fact that as a high school senior attending a senior prom, she didn't feel she had to have guy to make a go of it? We really have come a long way, baby!!