Reflecting on Homecoming

There’s this thought I’ve been mulling over—high school students are a bit like a bus. A friend of mine used to get annoyed when we’d toss around those familiar sayings like “time is a thief.” So, I’ll skip those clichés. Still, sending my daughter off to her first homecoming dance was a moment I’ll be unpacking for a while.

I knew I’d feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but honestly, I didn’t anticipate just how overwhelming it would be. I lost count of how many times I cried. If you’ve been following my newsletter, you might not be surprised. It’s tough to hold back tears when you see your daughter looking absolutely stunning. Even my generally stoic husband had misty eyes—this is a guy who seldom tears up, so that really said something.

The other moms enjoyed ribbing me about my emotional state. Being the youngest mom in the group, I often get comments from the more seasoned parents about this being my first experience, making me overly sentimental. But, truth be told, it’s not just this occasion; I tend to be this way with all the girls. I believe it’s essential for mothers to show their daughters that milestones are significant and deserve to be celebrated. It really helps strengthen the bonds we’ve nurtured over the years.

One thing that made me happy was how much she wanted to include me in the preparations. While I was getting ready, one of my sisters came over to style my hair, and her husband brought her a corsage. Usually, it’s the date who handles that, but at our school, freshmen aren’t allowed to bring dates. It’s a nice way to encourage students to experience their first real dance without added stress or awkwardness. It’s sort of a test run for when prom comes around.

As we were snapping pictures at the park before heading out for dinner, I noticed other girls from nearby public schools doing the same. The differences between our two groups were pretty striking. Our school is a small, conservative Catholic institution with a strict dress code. This means every outfit has to get approval from school authorities, which can be a bit frustrating. However, I understand the reasoning behind it and found myself grateful for that rule when I saw how the other girls were dressed. Homecoming dresses these days can be revealing to the point that it’s hard to maintain some decorum.

Seeing the two groups side by side, I realized how fortunate I was to be part of our small school. Our girls appeared just as lovely, but with an element of mystery thanks to the dress code. In a way, it actually elevated their charm.

I recalled a conversation with a friend who has an older daughter about finding an appropriate dress. She suggested I’d eventually let my daughter wear a “nothing” dress to fit in. But I disagree. While every parent wants their child to succeed, I absolutely do not want my daughters blending into this confusing modern world. Quite the opposite, actually—I want their uniqueness to shine, even in the darkest moments.

Part of fostering that individuality is allowing them to transition into adulthood gradually during their teenage years. It’s a delicate balance. We don’t want to shelter them so much that they lose their unique, childlike qualities, leaving them without any guidance on how to act or dress as they get older.

Still, I think developing trust with them from a young age makes it easier to set boundaries as they grow. I hope other parents recognize that shielding their kids from certain experiences doesn’t mean they are ruining their lives or their relationships. In fact, I believe daughters will look back on such protection with appreciation, just as I do with my parents.

That night, as I drove her home, I found myself getting emotional again while she recounted the evening’s events. It was far from sad. When she danced and shared her thoughts about who was there, it was a relief to hear hints of my little girl still shining through. It was a small comfort that I truly cherished.

What Caught My Attention This Week

Democrats are strategizing to reclaim control over the education system. Arne Duncan, who previously served as Secretary of Education under Barack Obama, penned an op-ed in The Washington Post urging Democrats to allocate funds from their proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill” to support left-wing organizations promoting progressive ideologies. There are other details, but it’s definitely worth a look.