Turning 14 years old was a big deal, because then I was old enough to go to Stake Dances and they were a REALLY BIG deal.  The Fort Worth, Texas Stake had a very active youth program and the Stake dances were a big attraction.  As newly eligible Mia Maids, my friends and I eagerly anticipated the dances and planned well ahead what we would wear, who we would see, and plotted ways to get a certain dance with a really cute boy – or avoid a dance with a dud.

An annual event in the stake was the semi-formal dance at which the First Year Mia Maids (the girls who had turned 14 during the year) made a debut into stake dance society and were formally introduced in a traditional ceremony escorted by their fathers.  We felt so important to be spotlighted this way, and we were convinced of our maturity and obvious grace!

Shopping for my dress was great fun.  This would be my first formal, and my mom was great about making certain that I felt well dressed.  As I recall, we found the dress in a little boutique, and I was pretty sure at first view that it was “my” dress.  The formal was white satin with a chiffon overlay embroidered with long stemmed pink roses.  The pink ribbon around the waist set off the flowers perfectly and my proper white gloves completed the outfit.  When I tried it on, I knew I was a picture of loveliness and couldn’t wait to wear it.

When the big day arrived, my dad was the ideal date, showing up with a beautiful corsage of pink baby roses that were perfect with my dress.  He looked especially handsome in his dark suit and unlike many of the boys my age, he was taller than I!  I was proud to be escorted by such a good looking gentleman.

I can’t believe I still have this rose – 41 years later well preserved in my “Treasures of Truth” scrapbook.

My dad has escorted me through many milestones in my life and has continued to support me through much of the everyday routine.  He deserves my respect and admiration – I was occasionally a challenge to him and he kept his cool most of the time.   He’s still handsome, he’s still taller than I am, and I’m still proud to be seen with him.