Guest Post from Gabby's Daddy, Comedian Mike Goodwin
This is my beautiful daughter attending her first prom. I’ve had a number of family members and friends ask:
How do you feel about your little girl going to the prom?
How does it feel knowing your little girl is growing up?
I will answer that question, but first I have a question for you.
How my times do you think I attended my high school proms?
None. I didn’t go to the prom. I know you find it hard to believe a suave, debonair dad like myself would not be the Prom King, much less not attend the prom.
So I have pretty ambivalent feelings concerning the prom.
On one hand, I was excited for my daughter and her special night of sweaty teenage dancing. On the other hand I was sad because it dredged up feelings I had placed in an adolescent time capsule many, many years ago.
Life has gradually been informing me that my little girl is transitioning into a woman right before my eyes. For starters, I can no longer throw her in the air and catch her with ease. I can’t even throw her book bag in the air without fear of throwing my back out.
Her Sweet Sixteen birthday party was a gut punch to my little girl narrative. She was gorgeous at her sweaty teenage gathering. And there were yucky boys there. That she invited. (Body blow!)
But the moment I was clear a new sheriff was in town happened the summer before her ninth grade year. I cracked an innocuous joke and my giggling quickly changed to Dad tears. Here’s a recap of the conversation.
Me: So Gabrielle…. Are you ready for the ninth grade?
Gabrielle: (pauses intently) Dad, are YOU ready for me to go to the ninth grade?
Me internally: NOOOOOO!!!!!!
In that moment, I knew everything had changed.
Honestly it’s bittersweet. I have complete confidence in the woman my daughter is becoming. She is such a good human. She is driven. She is thoughtful. She has a good head on her shoulders. My daughter loves God. My daughter loves to dance. And most importantly, my daughter loves to laugh. So when I saw her in her prom dress my heart was beaming with joy and I was honored to be her dad. And I also hoped she wore extra deodorant to the formal sweaty teenage shindig.
Gabby you look so beautiful! I hope you had a great time at your junior prom. You inspire me, and you are blessed. Keep up the good work and you go girl.
It’s here before you know it! Enjoy the ride!! I’m glad to have been riding along with my granddaughter!! (She’s outgrown the bows too!). Congratulations 🎈
Yes, I too was like awwwwwe, she’s really growing up! She’s beautiful and poised and just a nice person. It’s been a pleasure seeing Miss Gabby blossom through the years. Our kids are 8th and 9th Graders, so we’re right there in thick of parenting and training. Thanks to the Goodwin family for being an inspiration.
She is beautiful
She is beautiful!