my 2nd senior year: the history of homecoming

Another last. Tonight marks Colton's last Homecoming Dance. I've always liked this sweet tradition - it's a dress up night, to be sure, but so much more laid back than Prom. And I love that it's for all grades in high school. Colton and Reece have been able to share this memory for the last two years - and I really love that, too.

Freshman Year

Colton was new to Brentwood Academy his freshman year but he jumped in to it all without hesitation. Precious Bailey was his date that year, and she came straight from a cheer competition in Nashville, changing in the car on the drive over and meeting us at the restaurant. Cayce and I got to chauffeur them that year since neither was driving... we loved it - they hated it. And the highlight of that night? Cayce and I picking them up from the dance dressed as Sonny and Cher (Cayce was Cher - I was Sonny). We were coming from a Halloween party and while we probably COULD have changed before we got back to the school, we decided it was more important to remind Colton that he is never too cool, and you should never take yourself too seriously. Bailey loved it - and Colton will always smile when he thinks about it. NOW he will smile; then, maybe not.

Sophomore year. Well that was the year Colton decided it was more important for him to hang out with Dawson and watch college football together. Dawson had a broken leg and couldn't go to the dance - and Colton being the good and honorable friend that he is, felt he should keep Dawson company that evening. Of course it had nothing to do with the fact that Texas was playing that evening. Or that he was still upset about missing the Texas game while he attended his Freshman Homecoming Dance the year before. No, that would have to do with it at all. In the end, though, he and Dawson had a great time - and Colton had no regrets.

Junior Year

Honestly, I don't remember much of the Junior year festivities. Colton asked a girl who was a year younger than him - and I didn't know her. Cayce went to the junior picture session so I could cover Reece's freshman picture session. So I never even met the date, who's name I cannot remember at the moment. Cute smile, though - I do remember that.

David and Victoria Beckham - Senior Year

And then he was a senior. As we already know, he asked Raleigh (earlier post all about that "ask"). Sweet friends since Colton started at BA. So... seniors do things a little differently. They don't dress up. They dress in costume - as famous couples. Colton and Raleigh? David and Victoria Beckham - and yes, they totally nailed it. The whole evening is really pretty awesome and very fun. The seniors parade through the campus (parents are the parade watchers), and have dinner together as a senior class before the dance. Very, very cool way for a very close class to celebrate their last Homecoming together.

Deckers, Beckhams, Great Gatsby, Titanic, and Life of Pi.

My Homecoming dances were nothing like this. We had a dance - we didn't dress up - and I don't think that many people even came with dates. It was outside, in our school's courtyard - and it wasn't even decorated. I don't remember ever going out with friends before or after the dance. We just showed up at school for the dance, dressed in normal "going out in the 80's" clothes - and danced in groups. We did pair up for the slow songs - but only those who were lucky enough to be asked (I doubt I ever was). I don't have any pictures, which is a good thing because the 80's really weren't all that great of a fashion time for anyone! I do remember, though, that I enjoyed the dances - because I always enjoyed anything social. But I will have to say that I would have loved a Homecoming night like Colton has had these past fours years - particularly this senior year.