Back in the dark ages aka 1980, I met my future husband. I was 16, he was 17, and the locale was an ice skating rink (yuhuh!). Believe it or not, I knew the instant I set eyes on him that we would get married. Before I even knew his name. So it didn't really bother me when he started dating my best friend--I just figured things would work themselves out in time. And they did. Because he was dating my best friend we spent a lot of time together and became good friends in our own right. Eventually they broke up, she moved away and he invited me to my senior prom (he'd graduated the year before). I said, "Hell yes!"
So I dressed up in finest Jessica McClintock, put my hair in an Alice in Wonderland style (I know, WTF?) and he put on a tux and gave me a corsage.
Seriously, how could you not love an 18 year old guy with that much confidence?!
As mentioned last week, MVP is taking his date to the same place we went for dinner, Tom Ham's Lighthouse. While MVP and his friends are going in a limo, we went in a rental Olds Cutlass Supreme. Along with two other couples we were going to go to Disneyland after the prom. (Yes, our parents approved this plan(???) and our friend's mom rented the car since obviously none of us were over 25). Before taking off for Disneyland we went, still in prom attire, to park at Torrey Pines State Beach and have a glass or two of the bubbly Diet Coke.
So we park (angled parking, right off the road, above the rock that acts as a surf break in high surf). The guys were standing in front of the car opening another bottle of Champagne Diet Coke. See the little x? That's our car. See the not so straight arrow? That's the drunk driver that came speeding down the hill, lost control of his car, spun out, and smashed into us.
All I saw was lights in the rearview mirror, then I simultaneously felt the impact of the crash and watched the future Mr. Fix-it and friends disappear over the edge of the parking area. We didn't know if they'd been hit or if they jumped (they jumped) and the rear doors in the car wouldn't open. Can you say freakout?
Can I tell you how fun it is to wait for the cops to come when you're underage and have just had a Champagne Diet Coke shower? Even if it is totally the other guy that was drunk?
We ended up at Denny's and then sleeping in the car while the guy whose mom rented the car suffered repeated waves of nausea as he anticipated telling his mother about the wrecked rental car and the police report that listed him as the driver.
Roughly five years after the above picture was taken, this picture was taken.
Now we're the ones taking the pictures.
More prom pics in a couple of weeks.
Wow! My prom wasn't nearly that eventful! The worst thing that happened to me was getting hit by paintballs (our dates thought playing paintball would be a fun after-prom event).
Posted by: The Introvert | May 23, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Wow. Scary.
Love the Jessica McClintock dress!
It's amazing that you knew right away that you would marry him. Could you pick some lotto numbers for me?
Posted by: Jennifer H | May 23, 2008 at 02:34 AM
You have such a distinctive smile. I think I could probably pick you out in a photo at any age.
Great story and lead-in to kidlet prom.
Posted by: Hilary | May 23, 2008 at 04:08 AM
wow, what a beautiful couple! and so long together!!!
Posted by: gary | May 23, 2008 at 07:46 AM
You two were an absolutely adorable young couple! Disneyland after prom? What a great idea! Champagne showers and drunk drivers? Not so good. I think I will never, ever rent a car for my son. Because I'd hate to see him sick like that.
Can't wait to see prom pics!
Posted by: kcinnova | May 23, 2008 at 07:55 AM
I love the pictures! And Jessica McClintock dress! Hee!
I'll bet it feels kind of strange to be on the "other side" of the taking pictures thing. :)
I DID go to Denny's after my senior prom - still dressed in prom attire. :)
Posted by: CircusKelli | May 23, 2008 at 08:43 AM
In this day and age, the cops SO TOTALLY would have blamed those (you) snot-nosed drinking teens, unfairly. Great story and love the Jessica McClintock reference.
KEEP BELIEVING
Posted by: Angie | May 23, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Wow, what a great story! Sans the drunk driver.
Gotta love Jessica McClintock. I had a few of those myself!
Posted by: Denise | May 23, 2008 at 09:36 AM
When you were telling the story about how your car was sitting on this cliff, etc - I kept imagining a car coming down the hill and hitting you guys and then you went on to say that that is what happened - WOW - THAT IS A CRAZY STORY!! I'm so glad you all were okay and were able to go on a marry that very cute boy!!
Great pictures of you and your hubby.
Have fun with prom. Have a good weekend too - see you - Kellan
Posted by: Kellan | May 23, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Sometimes Fact is way better and more amazing than Fiction. From the whole "I knew it when I met him" to the drunk driver, the kids jumping, the mom renting the car for the kids (so 80's What the..was she thinking?). An great photos - love the dress, the hair, the BOY is too adorable as are you. Can't wait to see the "new" prom photos!
Posted by: The Girl Next Door | May 23, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Okay I don't even know where to start. First of all, you are the sweetest Prom couple I have ever seen. I'm not kidding. I hope that picture is in your house somewhere, it's PER-FECT.
And are you kidding me on the drunk driver? Holy Moly!?
I love this story Jenn. It's that simple.
Posted by: Jamie | May 23, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Holy cow! I love how you met, and I love your beautiful prom picture (you have the best smile), and I love that you just knew it would work out. What a happy ending, despite the drunk driver. Congratulations to you both!
Posted by: melissa | May 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I'm almost positive I had that dress in light blue.
And? Was everyone OK in the crash?
And: drama!
And: cute!
And: when do we get more prom pics?
Posted by: Deb | May 23, 2008 at 10:49 AM
This story is both lovely and frightening at the same time. I'm glad it had a happy ending!
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | May 23, 2008 at 10:55 AM
OMG I'm glad you all were ok!!! I loved Jessica McClintock's perfume, too, remember that?
Posted by: Janet | May 23, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I'm so glad everyone was ok. That's really scary. And I LOVE the sweet young love story. I always hoped for that, but wound up with a 40 year old off the internet. Oh everything turned out ok, but I remember how I wanted things to go well with whoever it was at the time so badly. That was a fun story.
Posted by: MereCat | May 23, 2008 at 12:36 PM
THAT is one great story!
Posted by: Melanie | May 23, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Husband and I had the same high schoool love story, circa 1974, complete with him dating best friend and her moving away and me going to senior prom with him and getting married 5 years later!
You two are too cute!
Posted by: Little Miss Sunshine State | May 23, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I LOVE that you guys went to prom together...and your Son is going to the same place...SO cool.
I can't believe the drunk driver part. Wow, any little difference in that night could have changed your destiny.
I started dating my hubby when I was 17, he 19 too.
Posted by: Suzanne | May 23, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Too funny -- how many people have that sense of certainty at 16? I knew I was going to spend a long time with my guy after our first 36 hour date, but I was 29! Looking forward to more prom pictures!
Posted by: Minnesota Matron | May 23, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I can definitely smell the confidence oozing from that picture. That's the same thing that attracted me to my husband, that and the fact that he looked like Brad Pitt. Only shorter and fatter.
Posted by: Memarie Lane | May 23, 2008 at 03:31 PM
hmmm, I couldn't access the comments last night, but now it is working..
Gorgeous photos, what a wonderful love story. Minus the car accident, how scary!
Incredible how quickly the time passes isn't it? Can't wait to see the new prom photos.
Posted by: Kristen | May 23, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Thanks for making me feel really old.In 1980 I was 28 years old and getting married for the second time.Thank God we were able to make this marriage work ans by the Grace of God here we are 28 years later sitll married.
Posted by: Mike Golch | May 23, 2008 at 05:23 PM
You sound like my sister and BIL; married 19 years this month - and not yet 41!
It's so funny that you posted prom pictures. I just ran across some (Class of '86 baby!)and was thinking of scanning them for fun.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | May 23, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Ooh! Jessica McClintock twin... what a *story* - I am so glad y'all were ok and left with such a tale to tell. Hope the young(er) ones have a great time.
Posted by: MamaBird/SurelyYouNest | May 23, 2008 at 08:28 PM
What a sweet picture of you and the hubby!
Posted by: Shelley | May 23, 2008 at 10:24 PM
What a sweet pic of you and the hubby!
Posted by: Shelley | May 23, 2008 at 10:25 PM
You two were so cute! And I love the progression of hairdos. In the first photo, you're kind of Olivia Newton John in Grease (before she turned slutty) and your future husband's hair is kind of David from Eight is Enough. And then in the second photo, I think I see some 80s curls on you, don't I?
Posted by: The Mom Bomb | May 23, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Good pics, good story, good times.
Posted by: Jason | May 23, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Sweet memories. Your wedding picture is beautiful!
Sorry you had to read that about my desk. it is sad but true, stacks and piles. Please don't have a bad reaction to this comment! I almost took a picture of it! That would have been worse.
Posted by: Sharon | May 23, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Jenn, I love this! I have another friend who has prom and wedding pictures with the same man. Awesome!
Posted by: Cheri @ Blog This Mom! | May 24, 2008 at 12:44 AM
P.S. Jessica McClintock dresses were da bomb.
Posted by: Cheri @ Blog This Mom! | May 24, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Brings back memories of my prom with my soon to be husband.
Yours was a bit more crashin though
Glad everyone stayed living
Posted by: Angela | May 24, 2008 at 02:20 AM
What a story!!!!!!! wow wow wow!
Posted by: CC | May 24, 2008 at 03:42 PM
A beautiful love story...but HOLY COW...the crash! What a freakin' story!! Your wedding dress was very similar to mine...VERY similar...brings back memories. Congratulations on bein' married to the same guy for EVAH!
Posted by: bichonpawz | May 25, 2008 at 03:34 AM
Those GM cars are just drunk driver magnets. Yikes, scary-lucky-cool story.
Posted by: Bipolarlawyercook | May 25, 2008 at 05:13 PM