What is the big deal about formal?

Dare I even ask the question? Is formal just an excuse to get dressed-up and be with our friends? I mean, the overkill on beauty supplies alone is atrocious! So much make-up, and don’t even get me started on the hairspray!

Maybe to the guys, formal is not a big deal, but for girls, formal night is getting to play dress-up for real. The challenge of compiling a perfect ensemble of dress, jewlery and matching shoes requires days of preparation.

I have to be careful though, because there are those girls that are loyal to formal traditions that might shoot at me with bobby pins and blind me with a gallon of hairspray if I show a hint of anti-formalism!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I really do love formal! For me, it’s getting asked by a great guy and counting down the days until our first dance. But, formal is also standing in front of a mirror holding my arms in weird positions for 20 minutes while a little Chinese lady pinned-up my dress to be altered?

The passion of formal for girls is finding the season’s perfect dress. The fun comes from seeing of how the gown accentuates their figure and then showing it off to admiring friends.

Guys may not be as “formal minded” as girls. The most enthusiasm they may display is saying, “Dude, nice tux.” But, I think that when the girl comes out looking like she belongs on a Teen Prom magazine, the excitement level raises a bit.

But what about that one special day? That day when he finally invites you to formal?

Girls dream up dazzling ways of how “Mr. Right” will sweep them off their feet. Guys, on the other hand, dread asking the girl. Their hearts race, their palms are moist and their stomachs churn, making the task seem near impossible.

But then, the boy finally gets up the courage to ask the girl and then the countdown until the big night begins. Arrangements are made, clothes are chosen and every detail [hopefully] falls into place.

So, I guess, all-in-all, formals aren’t that bad. I think the thing that makes formal so special is getting to spend that one night with that “special someone.” Maybe, for some, it is the dress or the tux, but, for me, it means making memories with my friends.

I think, at least I hope, that years from now I won’t remember if the food was terrible or if I had a huge pimple on my face. Who knows? I might just be able to look back on those mistakes and laugh.

Maybe.

When I reminisce about that night, I’m going to remember how I got to hang out with my friends and see them glowing and glamorous. I’m going to smile when I remember the way my “special someone” asked me to formal [but that’s another article!]. I’m going to know how it was just spending the evening with him and my friends that made the night great. Ah, I LOVE formal!

But now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pick up my dress!

Until “the big night,”

Kira