Nothing like kid’s prom

BY Aprile McKinnon

Happy Friday Canyon Lake. This week has been lots of fun. I attended so many Canyon Lake festivities no wonder I hear people say they never leave the lake because there is so much to do here.

My son, like many other teens this time of year, attended his senior prom over the weekend. I just couldn’t miss taking photos of him and his girlfriend before they left for the drive to Laguna where the prom was being held. Being there for their departure meant I would need to miss an event I wanted to attend. In my mind, I felt a little guilty. But my heart said, this is it. This is Shaun’s only Senior Prom. I can go to that other event next year. Seeing my son off to Senior Prom was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I wasn’t going to miss it. I don’t know if I am the only mom who feels like this, but I just didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see the kids before they left. Senior Prom just seems like a special time. I want to give all the parents of those at proms a big shout out for waiting patiently as your kids return safely home. I, of course, tried to act like I wasn’t worried. Not so sure I faked it very well. I just have a tendency to be a worrier.

Shaun McKinnon and Ryleigh Cooley just before leaving for their Senior Prom. Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon

My son Shaun and Ryleigh had a wonderful time. Shaun called me the next day excited to share that he was allowed to sing with the band at prom. I have to say that I was pretty happy for him. Being a vocalist myself I know that he must have been pretty nervous singing in front of his peers, but also full of an adrenaline rush. Sharing his love for music with his friends had to be really a wonderful experience.

I hope to always live life to the fullest and remember that some events in life just can’t be missed. I was the MC for a wedding recently and as I played the ceremony music, I was reminded what a special gift it is to share someone‘s special day. Special moments are rare and it’s important to be present.

Enjoy your weekend and all the weekend holds. Find your gift this weekend and be present in it. I love to hear your stories of those special moments. Feel free to share them with me at aprile@goldingpublications.com.