Lost In The Right Direction
Story Of My Life: My Home Coming
Page 11
Recently, I have been getting a lot of emails, texts, and Facebook messages asking me... "When are you going to update us on what you have been doing? When is your next blog post coming?". Well I am happy to say that I am back and ready to start blogging again. As the leaves are starting to change and the weather beginning to get a little colder, I felt it was the perfect time to pull out my stool, throw on my pajamas, make a warm cup of coffee and begin to update you all on what I have been doing in the past few months. Here we go...
Page 11
Recently, I have been getting a lot of emails, texts, and Facebook messages asking me... "When are you going to update us on what you have been doing? When is your next blog post coming?". Well I am happy to say that I am back and ready to start blogging again. As the leaves are starting to change and the weather beginning to get a little colder, I felt it was the perfect time to pull out my stool, throw on my pajamas, make a warm cup of coffee and begin to update you all on what I have been doing in the past few months. Here we go...
I decided to take a break this summer from blogging. That way, I could put all of my creative energy into one specific project and focus. I am so glad I did. I got to spend those warm, sunny months working hard and making music that I believe in and that I love. I got to perform in my first writers round surrounded by some of my first friends I had here in Nashville. As a songwriter, it is the most gratifying thing in the world to get up on a stage and sing a set of songs that you spent hours writing. Whether the reaction from the crowd is positive or negative, it is still the biggest rush to be able to tell your stories through lyrics and melody. It is the most powerful way of communicating how I feel. As an artist, performing your set of songs can be a little intimidating because you are sitting or standing on that stage saying "This is who I am, this is how I see the world, and this is my story." Luckily, I got a great response from the room which left me giddy and itching to do it again. |
I have been writing and recording like crazy and I am more inspired than ever before. I have a lot of really special things in the works and I cannot wait to share them with you. It is not quite ready...But I am dying to announce it all. Although, usually at the end of the summer, I come out with a glowing tan ... well, mostly just a sunburn ... and hair bleached blonde from the sunshine... This time, I came out as pasty as ever! I guess the sun doesn't peak through the windows of studios around Nashville. Below... Are a few pictures to give you a sneak peak into what I have been working on lately.
This Summer, I also had a LOT of visitors. My dad, my two brothers, my Nana, and some of my best friends decided to all take a trip and visit me in my neck of the woods. Although they didn't all come at the same time, when you live in a studio apartment in the middle of the city; it can be a bit of a challenge to find space for everyone to sleep, eat, or even just hang out. Good thing we all like each other! Otherwise, we would have been in trouble.
When you first move away from home, everyone's go to line is "I'll come visit!." Most of the time, it doesn't happen. It doesn't mean that they don't care or that they didn't want to. Life happens, and sometimes it just doesn't work. Everyone has a different schedule, a different place they have to be...Knowing this, I didn't expect much. I was content with Skype and long phone calls. What I didn't realize though, is really how loved I am by my friends and my family. I was surprised and my heart was filled with gratitude. Each different visitor had a different expectation of what they thought Nashville would be like, which is what made it so much fun. Some thought it would be like New York City...Street vendors, tall buildings that tower over you and are so high that you can't see past them to the clouds, and we would be taking gold taxi cabs to every destination. Some thought it would be like Utah. Cold, snowing all the time, a Cafe Rio on every corner, and too many mini vans to count. It isn't like either however. The best way I can describe it is a small town suburb stuck smack dab in the city. Every "office" on Music Row is a small home. Every restaurant is a different venue to play music in. Everyone knows everyone like a small town, and everyone is also living on the extra change in their car cup holder chasing the same dream. Every time someone new came out, the first thing I did was make a list of all the restaurants, sites, and activities we had to do! Everything from a picnic in Centennial Park to line dancing! I felt like a mom. The slideshow below will show you some of the moments that I couldn't quite put into words.
When you first move away from home, everyone's go to line is "I'll come visit!." Most of the time, it doesn't happen. It doesn't mean that they don't care or that they didn't want to. Life happens, and sometimes it just doesn't work. Everyone has a different schedule, a different place they have to be...Knowing this, I didn't expect much. I was content with Skype and long phone calls. What I didn't realize though, is really how loved I am by my friends and my family. I was surprised and my heart was filled with gratitude. Each different visitor had a different expectation of what they thought Nashville would be like, which is what made it so much fun. Some thought it would be like New York City...Street vendors, tall buildings that tower over you and are so high that you can't see past them to the clouds, and we would be taking gold taxi cabs to every destination. Some thought it would be like Utah. Cold, snowing all the time, a Cafe Rio on every corner, and too many mini vans to count. It isn't like either however. The best way I can describe it is a small town suburb stuck smack dab in the city. Every "office" on Music Row is a small home. Every restaurant is a different venue to play music in. Everyone knows everyone like a small town, and everyone is also living on the extra change in their car cup holder chasing the same dream. Every time someone new came out, the first thing I did was make a list of all the restaurants, sites, and activities we had to do! Everything from a picnic in Centennial Park to line dancing! I felt like a mom. The slideshow below will show you some of the moments that I couldn't quite put into words.
On the 18th of September, Liz Rose Music Publishing invited me to guest sing a song that I wrote with Jessie Walker and Liz Rose. I still remember the day we wrote it. I sent a text to Liz the night before because I had an idea I was dying to write. I couldn't get the melody and the title out of my head. I had to get it written down and recorded as soon as I could. She was the first person that came to mind! I knew she would help me bring my idea to life in a way that I couldn't. That next morning at 8:00, the three of us met at her house. It was the first time I had ever written with Jesse Walker. After only talking with her over blueberry muffins for a few minutes about my idea for the song, something clicked and she just got it. I was so lucky they both loved it and I am so glad they were the two writers that wrote this song with me. It is one of my favorite songs I have been a part of. By 9:30 that same morning, I walked out of there with a new song that I was proud of. We all loved it. It was easy and fun. We didn't stop once and say "where are we going with this? Is this the right direction?" ... it just flew out of us. A few months later, Jesse reached out to me and asked me if I would sing our song for the showcase that Liz Rose Music Publishing was holding a few nights later. OF COURSE I SAID YES! As if she even had to ask! Immediately I ran to my guitar and started practicing over and over again as if I didn't already know the song like the back of my hand. Then, I ran to my closet to try to sort through my dirty laundry and find what I was going to wear! IT HAD TO BE PERFECT!
When that night finally came, it was perfect. During the last round of writers, Liz and Jesse pulled me up on stage. I felt so honored to be there and so honored that they had asked me to sing our song. After I finished, I couldn't help but hug Jesse and Liz and thank them over and over again. Once again, I was left with that giddy feeling that most 17 year old girls get after their first kiss with a boy they like. I got that feeling after being on stage with people I had looked up to for years. All of the writers that night were so sweet to me. I felt so incredibly excited to be on stage with writers that have written songs that I sing along to on the radio during my late night drives with my mom.
Those are only some of the highlights I had over this summer. There have been so many incredible opportunities that have come my way that wouldn't have been in my path if I hadn't moved to Nashville. I am grateful for the friends I have made this summer, the new songs I have written, and the new experiences that are one of a kind. After the summer ended, I decided it was time for me to go home for a few weeks and catch my breath. I wanted to refresh the creative side of my brain and be 17 for a few days.
Two weeks ago, my mom and I hopped on a plane and travelled back to my home town. I was nervous to go home at first because so much has happened since I was last there. I feel like I have grown so much as a person. And so have my friends back home, but what if we grew in different directions? I am not sure why this thought snuck into my head while I was in seat 4A, looking out the window, but all of my worries went out the window (literally) as soon as I stepped off the plane and saw three of my best friends standing in front of me smiling and screaming "SAVANNAH!". My flight had been delayed that day, so I hadn't arrived in Utah until almost 11:30 at night. They had waited there for hours with a hand-made "Welcome Home Savannah and Mama Jen" sign. I didn't think twice before running to them...Which I probably shouldn't have, because slick floors and heals don't mix well together. I ended up falling into them. We all laughed and cried. They said "That is such a typical Savannah thing, she's definitely the Savannah we remember!" I couldn't wait to get caught up on everything going on in their lives! A lot can change in a few months, especially when you are in high school. People get together, break up, get back together... Make the team, move to a different school, get cut from the team, etc. I turned to my mom and dad and begged them to let me drive me home! They didn't even question it. We all piled into the back of a mini cooper.
On the drive home, we spent the whole 20 minutes singing and dancing and laughing while "Shake It Off" was blasted in the background. I think that is one of the things I miss most. I loved being able to just get in a car with my best friends and drive. Drive anywhere...Up the canyon, around the block - It was our thing. We would just put on our favorite songs and just drive. Now, our parents weren't crazy about this idea because they are the ones that are paying for the gas. I got out of the car when we arrived to my home and said goodnight and headed inside to get some much needed sleep.
On the drive home, we spent the whole 20 minutes singing and dancing and laughing while "Shake It Off" was blasted in the background. I think that is one of the things I miss most. I loved being able to just get in a car with my best friends and drive. Drive anywhere...Up the canyon, around the block - It was our thing. We would just put on our favorite songs and just drive. Now, our parents weren't crazy about this idea because they are the ones that are paying for the gas. I got out of the car when we arrived to my home and said goodnight and headed inside to get some much needed sleep.
The next day was a family day. My dad was leaving the next day to go on some baseball trip and I wouldn't see him again until Christmas. Even though we didn't have really anything planned, my mom and I just got in the car and just followed him around like puppy dogs. Every errand he ran, every meeting he went to; we were there with him. We couldn't do much until Kyle was out of school. Once he was, we all went to an early dinner to catch up and celebrate my mom's birthday that had already passed and my dad's birthday that he was going to be missing that week while he was on his trip. We went to Texas Roadhouse (of course) and ate WAY too much. Those rolls are rolls sent from heaven. You can't go to Texas Roadhouse and think you are just going to get a little side salad and sweet tea. You are going to get a loaded sweet potato and a big ol' steak and you WILL eat a whole basket of rolls...By yourself. After dinner, my dad had to head back to work so my brother, mom, and I went back home. Kyle and I turned on some cheesy movie on Netflix and spent our night making fun of the characters and cracking up over the lines that were written. It was SO bad, but SO good!
After my dad left the next morning, we went to visit my grandparents for a while. After we spent a little time over there, we decided to head over to my cousins house and surprise little Jen. Little Jen had turned 5 in September but she refused to have any kind of birthday party until I was home to celebrate it with her. For any 5 year old, waiting to get birthday presents and eat cake is a struggle. I don't know how she waiting as long as she did! It was the most endearing, sweetest thing ever. When I found out she was waiting for me, I HAD to find a way to make her feel special. My mom and I started driving over there and when we finally got into the parking lot we decided to call her and pretend that we couldn't come home and she would have to celebrate her birthday without us. She talked to us on the phone for a bit while we were standing outside of her front door. She was so understanding and said it was okay. Right then, we began to knock on her door. We said "Who is that on the door?" and in her sweet voice she says "I don't know." You could hear her little feet running to the door and she reached for the door to open it. She swung it open and stood there in complete shock. She didn't know what she was seeing at first. She just stood there with the cutest look on her face! When it finally registered what was happening, she ran toward us and jumped into our arms. She kept saying "I love you, I love you, I love you!!!!" If that was the only moment that I had time for when I was home, that would have been worth every penny I spent on a plane ticket. After the initial excitement wore off, my mom and I put her in the back of our car and took her out for the day! We went to the mall and took her shopping and let her pick out anything she wanted. She LOVES shopping! She is a little mini-me! Then, we took her to get lunch and ice cream. She was so grateful and happy the whole time. Then we headed home to go get her ready to take pictures! She wanted to be a model for a day, so I called my friend Caitie who is an incredible photographer. She agreed and we met a few hours later. Watching little Jen pose and make silly faces, was making me laugh! She was loving every second of it. It made me so happy to see that she was on cloud 9. After, we grabbed dinner and went home to get ready for our slumber party! It was the perfect day spent with my favorite little girl.
The rest of the week, I constantly was riding around with my friends. I tried to make every moment count. Whether we were grabbing milkshakes or going to football games, or we were all in the living room watching old movies while they did homework... It felt good to be with them. There were moments that I felt as though I was having an out of my body experience as I watched them do the things I used to do; as I watched them worry about the same things I used to worry about. It was crazy. I didn't realize how much my everyday life had changed. Every morning I wake up and I am so excited to start my day. I even try to go to sleep the night before earlier so that I can get to the next day faster. I worry about rent, I worry about how people will react to the song I am writing, I get excited about finally getting a demo back that I have been nervously waiting weeks for. I don't think about studying for mid-terms, I don't worry about what I am going to do after high school ends, I am not trying to find a college that is close enough to home but far enough away that I can find myself. I know what I am going to do with the rest of my life, I know where I will be living in order to continue to do what I do everyday... In fact - I am already living it. I am living it a year earlier than any of my friends are. It is a strong reality check. I am so lucky to have that constant confirmation. I know that there are ups and there are downs when it comes to what I am doing and you are always trying to navigate your way through life. I am only 17, and being only 17 I won't ever know where each road will lead me. Most of the time I don't even quite know why I am choosing one path over the other. I am constantly lost, how can you not be when you are young? I do know one thing, I am lost in the right direction...And it feels so great. What is life when there aren't surprises anymore?
'Have I ever mentioned that my friends are the most wonderful friends in the whole world? I am so lucky to have such a steady rock beneath me. I have an incredible family and group of girls that some days I wonder if I am stuck in some daydream that I haven't been snapped out of yet. The whole two weeks I was home, my group of girls had something planned for me every night and every day. There was never a dull moment. We were being 17. We went movie hopping all night, we had sleepovers every night, we stayed up way too late talking and laughing, we pulled an all-nighter in the canyon, and we ate WAY TOO MUCH JUNK FOOD! These are the little things that you only do when you are 17.
One night after being with my girls all night, two of my friends drove me home and I got out of the car and walked up to my porch to get to my front door like I always do. I noticed something a little different this night though... There was a huge read sign and a laundry detergent bottle sitting right next to it. At first I was really confused and thought it was an art project that Kyle was working on for school. As I got closer, I noticed it said my name. Then it hit me, was I getting asked to a dance? I picked up the poster and written in black sharpie was "Savannah, are you DOWNY to go to homecoming with me?". Then the laundry detergent suddenly made sense. I didn't know who it was and at first I had no idea how I was going to figure out who asked me. Victoria and Caitie were still in the driveway so I waved them over to see if they could help me figure it out. After looking at the bottle for a minute or two, Victoria opened the top of the lid to dump the liquid. Out popped 6 ping pong balls with black print on them. Each ping pong ball had a different letter written on it. The three of us scrambled to get all of the ping pong balls arranged to spell out a name. 30 seconds later, we spelled out the name "Tanner." YES! I was so excited! Tanner and I have been friends since 8th grade and he was asking me to my senior homecoming. AH! I was so excited. Not everyone gets to go to their senior homecoming, especially in my situation...And not everyone gets to go with their best friend! The rest of the week, my mom and I spent time scouring dress stores and tried on a million dresses. Once we found "the one," we then had to find everything to go with it. Finding the perfect homecoming dress is an event in itself. Only the girls reading this will know exactly what I mean by that statement!
One night after being with my girls all night, two of my friends drove me home and I got out of the car and walked up to my porch to get to my front door like I always do. I noticed something a little different this night though... There was a huge read sign and a laundry detergent bottle sitting right next to it. At first I was really confused and thought it was an art project that Kyle was working on for school. As I got closer, I noticed it said my name. Then it hit me, was I getting asked to a dance? I picked up the poster and written in black sharpie was "Savannah, are you DOWNY to go to homecoming with me?". Then the laundry detergent suddenly made sense. I didn't know who it was and at first I had no idea how I was going to figure out who asked me. Victoria and Caitie were still in the driveway so I waved them over to see if they could help me figure it out. After looking at the bottle for a minute or two, Victoria opened the top of the lid to dump the liquid. Out popped 6 ping pong balls with black print on them. Each ping pong ball had a different letter written on it. The three of us scrambled to get all of the ping pong balls arranged to spell out a name. 30 seconds later, we spelled out the name "Tanner." YES! I was so excited! Tanner and I have been friends since 8th grade and he was asking me to my senior homecoming. AH! I was so excited. Not everyone gets to go to their senior homecoming, especially in my situation...And not everyone gets to go with their best friend! The rest of the week, my mom and I spent time scouring dress stores and tried on a million dresses. Once we found "the one," we then had to find everything to go with it. Finding the perfect homecoming dress is an event in itself. Only the girls reading this will know exactly what I mean by that statement!
When the day of homecoming finally came, I was so excited and ready to go dance the night away. In Utah, you don't just go to the dance, though. Every dance is literally an event that lasts all day. You have a day activity (day-date), a dinner, the dance, and then a night activity (night date after the dance). So if you don't have a breakfast full of sugar or an energy drink on hand, then you might pass out during your eventful day. Unless you are like me who gets so excited about dances that I don't need anything to get me going! I run on adrenalin!
Now that you know a little about how a typical day goes for a dance, this is how my day went...
1. Day Activity: Boondocks
Boondocks is a huge place that has numerous games and activities shoved under one roof. You can't possibly get bored when you are there, which is perfect for a dance day activity when you have a big group like we did! We started our morning off with go-kart racing! YES!!!! That is my favorite thing to do. There are no rules, no speed limit, and you get to sit in a bright colored car that looks like a smaller version of a race car. Um...Yeah, it's that awesome. We all waited in line for a few minutes before we actually got to go on the track. My date Tanner and I were eyeing a yellow car that was sitting near the back, so as soon as they let us go, we ran toward it and hopped in before anyone else took it. They read the safety instructions over the intercom and then let us GO!
When we reached the finish line... We were surprised that we won! ESPECIALLY considering that I drove. The girl with only a permit won the race amongst her friends that have all been driving for a little more than a year now. Yeah, that's right! The underdogs won!
From there, we went mini golfing, put on a vest and shot each other in a game of lazor quest, and then went to the game room to play the machines! We, of course, slayed when it came to the games! We even got a high score on Dance Dance Revolution...Yes, we danced on light up arrows and competed for first place. When we finished, we had over 500 tickets that we could cash in for prizes. We opted for a bag full of candy and matching neon monkey hats! We looked pretty silly, but it was so much fun. We didn't care what anyone thought, we ate the whole bag of candy and we walked out proudly wearing those hats as if they were medals of gold.
Now that you know a little about how a typical day goes for a dance, this is how my day went...
1. Day Activity: Boondocks
Boondocks is a huge place that has numerous games and activities shoved under one roof. You can't possibly get bored when you are there, which is perfect for a dance day activity when you have a big group like we did! We started our morning off with go-kart racing! YES!!!! That is my favorite thing to do. There are no rules, no speed limit, and you get to sit in a bright colored car that looks like a smaller version of a race car. Um...Yeah, it's that awesome. We all waited in line for a few minutes before we actually got to go on the track. My date Tanner and I were eyeing a yellow car that was sitting near the back, so as soon as they let us go, we ran toward it and hopped in before anyone else took it. They read the safety instructions over the intercom and then let us GO!
When we reached the finish line... We were surprised that we won! ESPECIALLY considering that I drove. The girl with only a permit won the race amongst her friends that have all been driving for a little more than a year now. Yeah, that's right! The underdogs won!
From there, we went mini golfing, put on a vest and shot each other in a game of lazor quest, and then went to the game room to play the machines! We, of course, slayed when it came to the games! We even got a high score on Dance Dance Revolution...Yes, we danced on light up arrows and competed for first place. When we finished, we had over 500 tickets that we could cash in for prizes. We opted for a bag full of candy and matching neon monkey hats! We looked pretty silly, but it was so much fun. We didn't care what anyone thought, we ate the whole bag of candy and we walked out proudly wearing those hats as if they were medals of gold.
After all the fun and games (literally), he dropped me back off at my house so that I could get all dressed up and ready for dinner. Getting ready I think is the most stressful part of a dance. If your hair doesn't go as planned or if you break a nail in the process of zipping up your dress, then your whole night turns into a spiraling endless mess, and NO girl wants their senior homecoming to turn into a spiraling endless mess.
My mom helped me with my hair and make up and the whole shebang! Two of my friends, Caitie and Victoria, came over to help me add the finishing touches (lipstick, hairspray, etc) and to see me off to my senior homecoming. They had already gone to their senior homecoming a few weeks prior at the high school they go to now. It was so sweet of them to come over and make me feel so special. They took pictures of me and showered me in compliments! They wanted to be a part of this day, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. As we were all standing in my mom's bathroom making sure every hair was in place and I didn't smudge any of my make up, the doorbell rang and my date Tanner was there! Of course, the two girls ran to the door and opened it before I had time to object! I laughed and walked down the hallway, hoping I wouldn't fall and rip my dress (that would have been another "Savannah move"). Luckily I didn't and even managed to put on his boutonniere without poking him in the chest. After a billion of pictures were taken, we made our way to the park to take group pictures where the rest of the group was. Below are some of my favorite pictures from this time of the night!
After taking pictures with our family and friends, we made our way to dinner. They took us to this place called "Fuji" where they cook the food right in front of you at your table. When we first sat down, I realized that I was a little too short for the table to reach my plate and see over. One of our friends in the group happened to have a driving manual that was big enough for me to sit on and get a boost. THANK GOODNESS! The sushi and the teriyaki chicken was to die for! I ate myself sick. It was so fun! The experience at the restaurant would have been enough, but the food was AMAZING! They even throw shrimp at you while you are sitting and give you points if you catch it in your mouth. After we all finished eating, we made our way to the dance.
When we arrived at the dance that night, we got in line to take our official senior homecoming pictures. It still feels so surreal to me that we were already at our senior homecoming. It literally feels like five minutes ago, we were all standing in this line as sophomores coming to our first high school dance.
As we stood in line, my date and I tried to think of the craziest pose we could do for our single shot of the two of us. Usually people would try to take some sort of romantic route with it and pose in a cute way, but we weren't about to do that! We had to come up with something that we would look back on and laugh about. I don't have the picture to show you yet, but I will post it as soon as I get the prints!
As soon as the flash went off in our eyes from the photographer, I kicked off my heels and we ran out to the dance floor. The thing I love most about my old high school, is that everyone actually dances. We aren't all standing there like awkward bumps on a log waiting for someone to come ask us to dance like you see in the movies. We actually all get out there like one big team and dance the night away! There is no separation between the boys and girls. We are all there for each other and we are all there to experience it together. Every song that played that night was complete perfection. Even when a slow song came on, you would grab your date and try to make it silly. You would pretend you were dancers for the ballet, or over dramatize every move you made. Hour after hour we were all laughing and singing terribly off key. I felt fearless, free, and wild. I felt forever 17. I was desperately holding on to every beat and every smile that I came across in that moment so I could replay it over and over again weeks later. Even if you didn't know the person you were dancing next to, it didn't matter. You lip sang with them and laughed with them as if you had known them your whole life. That is what is so amazing about these dances, there is no "high school food chain" for one night. Everyone is friends with everyone. Once you get there, we are all on the same level. We are all just wanting to make a night we will remember when we are old. A night we will talk about when our kids are going to their high school dances.
When the DJ announced that he was about to play the last song, I looked to one of my friends Rachel and we both began to cry. It was the reality check that this really was the last 3 minutes of our senior homecoming. I know it sounds cheesy, but even though everyone goes through ups and downs in high school this is the last year that we will all be together in the same room. The class of 2015 will all go their separate ways after this year is over. Whether they move away like I did to follow a dream, or they go to college, or they stay home - we all have a different path in life that we will begin on after this year. For the past 3 years however, we were all in the same 4 walls trying to figure out who we were. We will always be remembered as the class of 2015.
Knowing this, when the DJ began to play a slow song for the last song of the night - everyone immediately objected. We all shouted to have a change of song and when he didn't change it, like dominos the whole room began to sit down. The whole room went silent and sat cross legged as we patiently waited for the change of song. Finally after a few moments, the song changed and we all cheered! We spent the last 3 minutes making it count. When the last chorus hit, I began to spin in the middle of the room. I tried to take everything in. I looked at all the posters that had hand prints splattered across in our school colors. I looked at the spot in the corner of the room where I danced my first dance as a sophomore. I looked at the countless high heels that were stacked next to each other circling the whole room and the pile of corsages laying next to them. I looked at the happy faces and felt the youth spilling out of my peers around me. I looked at the faculty, the lights, the streamers, and the torn dance tickets laying on the floor. I wanted to stay in this moment forever. I tried to take as many mental images as I could with every spin.
When the song finally ended and the lights came on. All of the seniors gathered around in one large circle around the room. We all held hands and waited for all the lower classmen to leave. During this moment we all looked at each other, glowing. We were on this high that was impossible to explain. Once the room cleared and we were the only ones left, we all began to quietly say "Seniors". Every time we said it, we would get a little louder than the time before. The last time was more of a cheer and we all stormed to the center and shouted "Seniors, Seniors, Seniors!" We all felt so strong, as if we had beat the odds to some kind of horrible statistic. I couldn't have picked a better exit.
As we stood in line, my date and I tried to think of the craziest pose we could do for our single shot of the two of us. Usually people would try to take some sort of romantic route with it and pose in a cute way, but we weren't about to do that! We had to come up with something that we would look back on and laugh about. I don't have the picture to show you yet, but I will post it as soon as I get the prints!
As soon as the flash went off in our eyes from the photographer, I kicked off my heels and we ran out to the dance floor. The thing I love most about my old high school, is that everyone actually dances. We aren't all standing there like awkward bumps on a log waiting for someone to come ask us to dance like you see in the movies. We actually all get out there like one big team and dance the night away! There is no separation between the boys and girls. We are all there for each other and we are all there to experience it together. Every song that played that night was complete perfection. Even when a slow song came on, you would grab your date and try to make it silly. You would pretend you were dancers for the ballet, or over dramatize every move you made. Hour after hour we were all laughing and singing terribly off key. I felt fearless, free, and wild. I felt forever 17. I was desperately holding on to every beat and every smile that I came across in that moment so I could replay it over and over again weeks later. Even if you didn't know the person you were dancing next to, it didn't matter. You lip sang with them and laughed with them as if you had known them your whole life. That is what is so amazing about these dances, there is no "high school food chain" for one night. Everyone is friends with everyone. Once you get there, we are all on the same level. We are all just wanting to make a night we will remember when we are old. A night we will talk about when our kids are going to their high school dances.
When the DJ announced that he was about to play the last song, I looked to one of my friends Rachel and we both began to cry. It was the reality check that this really was the last 3 minutes of our senior homecoming. I know it sounds cheesy, but even though everyone goes through ups and downs in high school this is the last year that we will all be together in the same room. The class of 2015 will all go their separate ways after this year is over. Whether they move away like I did to follow a dream, or they go to college, or they stay home - we all have a different path in life that we will begin on after this year. For the past 3 years however, we were all in the same 4 walls trying to figure out who we were. We will always be remembered as the class of 2015.
Knowing this, when the DJ began to play a slow song for the last song of the night - everyone immediately objected. We all shouted to have a change of song and when he didn't change it, like dominos the whole room began to sit down. The whole room went silent and sat cross legged as we patiently waited for the change of song. Finally after a few moments, the song changed and we all cheered! We spent the last 3 minutes making it count. When the last chorus hit, I began to spin in the middle of the room. I tried to take everything in. I looked at all the posters that had hand prints splattered across in our school colors. I looked at the spot in the corner of the room where I danced my first dance as a sophomore. I looked at the countless high heels that were stacked next to each other circling the whole room and the pile of corsages laying next to them. I looked at the happy faces and felt the youth spilling out of my peers around me. I looked at the faculty, the lights, the streamers, and the torn dance tickets laying on the floor. I wanted to stay in this moment forever. I tried to take as many mental images as I could with every spin.
When the song finally ended and the lights came on. All of the seniors gathered around in one large circle around the room. We all held hands and waited for all the lower classmen to leave. During this moment we all looked at each other, glowing. We were on this high that was impossible to explain. Once the room cleared and we were the only ones left, we all began to quietly say "Seniors". Every time we said it, we would get a little louder than the time before. The last time was more of a cheer and we all stormed to the center and shouted "Seniors, Seniors, Seniors!" We all felt so strong, as if we had beat the odds to some kind of horrible statistic. I couldn't have picked a better exit.
After our night of pretending we were in the phase out scene of "Grease," we grabbed our stuff and headed back to our friend Daniel's house. All the girls ran downstairs to change into our pajamas, brush our hair, put on some chap-stick, and make ourselves look as presentable as possible. As we made our way back upstairs, the smell of something sweet filled the air. When we got to the kitchen, there was the most delicious crepe bar you have ever seen! There were so many topping and filling options to add to your crepe, I didn't know what to do with myself. I wanted to try it all...So I did, and went back for thirds. My crepes didn't look like crepes, though, more like burritos they were so big! We were all so hungry and still riding on the thrill from the dance. We were all telling stories to the parents that were there helping out and hanging out as best friends. I am very lucky to have experienced that night with the group of people that I did. I couldn't have asked for a better first dance as a senior and last homecoming.
"It's the oldest story in the world. One day you're 17 and you are planning for someday. And then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life."
-One Tree Hill
Until next time...
-One Tree Hill
Until next time...