BCM Formal

Sequins, Satin, Chiffon, Hair Spray, make-up, curling irons, flat irons, hot rollers, hair spray, body tape, jewelry, hair spray, bobby pins, safety pins and did I say hair spray? It was "girl heaven" Friday night in the upstairs loft of the Dowling family's home getting ready for this big event at the BCM. The girls were just beautiful! Each helping the other with make-up and hair and dress/undergarment issues. You know I loved helping put make-up on. Robyn you were so patient and kind as I rubbed eyeshadow on your eyelids to the point of pushing your contacts into your brain! :) Then there is the hair - I love Big, curly, dramatic hair - some of them even let me fix their hair!! I heard "beauty pageant" hair mentioned a couple of times. One of my favorite lines..."Mrs. Kathy, I'm just not feeling this look"....LOL My own child, Katie, said I was making her look like a character out of "Somewhere in Time" (w/Jane Seymour) which, of course, I thought was such a compliment! ha She for sure didn't like the little side ringlets....
Then there are the guys- some pacing downstairs waiting for their date to come down and join them and others waiting with their dates for one of the most elegant dinners I have ever seen. This dinner event was put together by the Dowlings, McCullins, Houstons & Trussells - and may I say here - NO restaurant in north Louisiana could have displayed a more elegant table nor served a more delicious steak dinner!!
But back to the guys...they had coat, ties, pressed shirts (even if they came from Goodwill or Rolling Hills thrift shop) and cologne on. They are the best! I have taught, worked with, and served with a lot of wonderfully fun and Godly young men - these are second to none. Their oohs and ahhs and welcome compliments were flowing as the girls showed up in all their splendor. They let them know, unashamedly, that they were beautiful. And they are all friends - which is why this is so precious to me. If a guy can be this way with his friends, who are girls, how much easier it will be to say it to that "special" one, one day.
The dinner EVENT was so wonderful. I was a "waitress"/"server" - much to their fear. Especially after I dropped the partially empty salad bowl onto the coat/tie area of my daughters date. Thank you, Jay, for not making a big deal out of my clumsiness, but wiping off the ranch dressing from your suit as if it was no big deal.
After taking their "date pictures" at the door, which was decorated with lights & greenery and lanterns & candles - the "valet" drivers retrieved their cars (out of the pouring rain, I might add) and they headed on to the big dance at the BCM. But not before I noticed: suit coats around girls' shoulders while they were waiting for their cars and doors being opened by the guys for girls - then making sure the end of the formal dresses were all secure inside the car before he shut the door. OH YES - i see EVERYTHING!
The report Saturday and this morning at Church was that the dance was a blast!! Everyone dancing, and not just standing around, makes for a FUN party. YOU KNOW I wanted to be there - but my feet were hurting and I knew I could hardly make it through "Sweet Home Alabama" ..oh, i mean..."In the Sweet By and By"....without sitting down - but tomorrrow is another day....