During the months leading up to the banquet, Satan was trying to discourage me with the smallest thing: I didn't have a date. My two best friends were both asked by two of their guy friends. I know it doesn't seem like a huge deal, but to me it felt like no one wanted to be seen with me at my senior banquet, and that really got me down. I gave it all to God and focused on other things (like registering for orientation and spending time with my friends who are leaving for college this fall). About two weeks before the banquet, my friend Amy told me that my friend Cassie didn't have a date, so I asked her. :) The day of the banquet, all of my friends and our dates met at Bellevue to take pictures.
Back row: Zach, Ethan, Kaylor, Jake and Aaron)
I rode to Woodland Hills with Aaron, Erin, Jake and Kendall and I had a blast! Non of us were dating, so it was just five friends in a Mercedes blasting music. The evening went by smoothly, then after dinner all of the couples started taking pictures and I was the one taking the pictures. Satan tried to discourage me but then I was distracted by having to concentrate walking down the staircase in front of 500 people, in a floor length dress WITHOUT falling. After the seniors were recognized, the dancing began. My two best friends Erin and Kendall grabbed me and we all went on the dance floor and started to dance to the jazz band. It was SO much fun! Then the slow music started and my friend's dates came to claim them for a dance. I was left at the side of the dance floor without a partner. Watching my friends and their dates laugh and seeing them having fun is what broke me down right then. I stood there for about two minutes and then I couldn't take it anymore. So I went back to our table -which was empty- to pray and compose myself. I knew it wasn't a big deal but it kept nagging at me. After a few minutes, I felt a little better and went back to the dance floor to find Cassie. She was dancing with another guy so again I stood by myself, taking pictures of everyone on the dance floor. Then my two best friends -Kendall and Erin- came on either side of me and put their arms around me and just stood there with me watching the dancers. Nothing was said but everything was loud and clear. They knew that I had really wanted someone to ask me to the banquet and they knew he wasn't there. Refusing to ruin my makeup, I choked back the waterfall of tears threatening to burst forth. All of a sudden, I felt God's love and comfort as Erin and Kendall just stood there hugging me.
I knew that even though I was by myself at my senior dance, that I was still loved and cherished by my Heavenly Father and my best friends. Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was my good friend Aaron - who was Erin's date for the evening. He held his hand out and said "Come on, let's dance." I froze. Then composed myself and took his hand. Neither of us are good dancers, but we still had fun! Then after dancing with Aaron, his younger brother Ethan asked to dance with me. I ended up dancing almost the whole night alternating with Erin, Aaron, Zach, Ethan, Kaylor, Jake and Kendall. Again, I know it sounds small and even silly, but to me it was a huge hug from God telling me that I am worth time and effort. He used my friends to show me that He hasn't forgotten me and that He can see the small desires of my heart. Looking back on my senior banquet, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am so thankful for my incredible friends. And what an AWESOME God we serve!
Here are a few pictures from the banquet!
Our crazy friends :P
Reverse! Aaron and Kendall
Love your blog! Blogging is such a great way to keep up with people! I can't wait to read about your adventures in life!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :) I'm still trying to get used to it haha. It seems like a pretty cool way to stay connected to friends. I love reading your posts :)
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