Always a Chaperone, Never a Bride

I am EXHAUSTED!

It has been such a long day - school, department meeting, manicure, prom committee last-minuteness...And as if that schedule wouldn't have me begging for bed, the added stress of going on a date with Coach Hines has been swirling through my mind all day! Things got so bad, that I purposefully took the longer way around the school to get from my 3rd period to 4th period class, just so I wouldn't have to pass by the gym on the off chance that I might see him. That adds an extra 2 minutes. I timed it.

What was I thinking yesterday?!

Chaperoning this prom was already giving me extra anxiety. It's my first prom since high school, and though it isn't MY prom, I am still expected to be a part of it. I have to dress the part, act the part, blah, blah,blah...Kind of like being in a wedding party. It's fun and exciting, but as bridesmaid you know it's not about you. The attention (rightly so) is on the happy couple. But you still end up with a massive amount of hair, pictures, make-up, and everything else that needs to complete the look of somebody else's dream day...not to mention all the cash that goes into it.

So that was my mindset for tomorrow night. It had been since I was told in December that I was assigned chaperoning duties. I needed to pull-off "bridesmaid." Got it. No problem. Can do.

I planned on wearing something similar to the dress at the top of the post.You know, cute and formal, yet teacher appropriate. I was going to dress it up with some jewelry and a killer pair of red heels.

But now! But now. Is it too dowdy or too much for a date? I want to appear fun and sweet, but I also have to be professional. Would a lighter floral print be better? Will I have the time to find one?!

AND!! I just realized we will be driving in. One. CAR! So what message are we sending to the student body? Are we dating? Is that even allowed? Do I want it to be allowed? What if the night completely sucks and I don't want to spend another second with CH, let alone let him drive me back home at the end of the night? OR WORSE. What if we actually find some smidgen of chemistry and the whole prom atmosphere brings on major nostalgia and at the end of the night, when he drives me home...you know where I am going with this. We are supposed to watch and make sure the kids don't get knocked-up. Who will be watching out for me?!

No, no. Don't get the wrong idea. I am NOT that sort of girl. But you have to admit there is way more than the usual first date stress happening here. I have a professional image to uphold, too. But I also need to let him see the non-teacher Elsie. Urgh.

One thing is for sure. I definitely plan to eat happily at Ruby Tuesdays, AND order dessert. As part of the planning committee, I know what the refreshments are and I can definitely pass on those!