The Prom Wedding

 

An unexpected note came home in Coleman’s backpack last April. “Would Coleman like to attend the Junior Prom?” Honestly, it was something I had never even considered. Never. There were four “juniors” in Coleman’s classroom, three girls and Coleman, and they were each entitled to attend the high school’s junior prom. If the group opted to go, his teacher and two aides would attend and chaperone them at the event. I talked to some of the other parents and it seemed everyone wanted to give it a try. Of course, Coleman had no idea what a prom was, but thanks to my niece’s wedding a couple of years ago (at which Coleman had the greatest time), he did know what a wedding was, so I told him he was going to a prom wedding. He only needed to hear the word ‘wedding’ to get amped up about it.

I originally planned to just send him in a pair of black knit pants and a t-shirt.  I thought about those t-shirts that have a picture of a tux screen printed on the front, and started to search one out.  But during this time in 2022 Coleman was in such a good place mentally thanks to the Prednisone and Remicade, that I decided to float the idea of an actual tux. 

We talked about if for a few days, I showed him some photos, and then we just went for it.  I made an appointment at a local tux place for the following weekend to try some on and much to my continued surprise, he was flexible and patient while he tried them on.  It took a few tries because of his small size, but we finally found one that worked (with alterations), paid the fee, and off we went. 

On the night before the prom, we hung the tux up in the playroom where Coleman could see it and we talked about what the prom would be like.  The following day, when it was time to get dressed, he put everything on, including the vest, suitcoat, and even the shoes.  He only pushed back on the top button of the shirt.  I was stunned and I’ll say it was quite a moment when he walked into the kitchen all dressed up for our family and guests. 

The night was a smashing success, easily exceeding even our most optimistic expectations.  We dropped him off and expected to him last an hour or two at most, but the teachers didn’t ring us with the pick-up call until nearly 11 pm.  He had a great time dancing and eating with not only his classmates, but the entire junior class of the high school.  It was an unexpected, truly amazing evening for him, and we are so very grateful that Coleman is in a community where inclusion for all kids is a priority.  Everyone deserves to go to a prom wedding. 😊