Back to the Future: Prom 2017

I remember back in the day when I was on set at USA High and I got the call that my sister was in labor. She and her new hubby recently moved to LA in support of his writing career. Just when I was coming down from the excitement the move, she was now bringing her first born, my first niece, Miss Alexandra Louise into the world. I raced to the hospital, made it there moments after she was delivered and held her in my arms. Cut to: a few months ago my phone rings and this same little one, that I carried with-in her first hours of breath called asking me to do her make-up for her senior prom…she’s leaning towards a smokey eye with some fabulous lashes! WHAAAAAAAAT?!?! What in the world does this baby girl know about a smokey eye?? Let’s forget about the fact that I was in full denial about being old enough for this to be happening and just clearly deal with the fact that Alex in fact, is no baby anymore, she’s a beautiful young woman with big talents and even bigger dreams. I mean, she cast her vote in this last election. I supposed if she can have a say in who’s going to run the country, she can wear a smokey eye and lashes to prom…whatever.

I wasn’t alone in the bittersweet challenges that came along with this day. My sister was definitely feeling a way about it all. I couldn’t help but see my future with my own little one, knowing that I’ll blink and the day will be here where she’s driving me nuts with prom requests of her own.

Then there’s dad, who had to stand by, watching his first born all grown up, complete with highlights and contour, trusting in her lovely date to be respectful and take the last baton on making the dreams of a magical prom night come true.

It was funny, I got a text message from Alex days before prom telling me and I quote, “My man and I need to be fire for prom.” I’m not going to lie, I’ve done make up for folks gracing red carpets and Emmy stages and this request from my niece made me more nervous than any other. I HAD to get it right. I needed to deliver for her. She’s clearly a beautiful girl to begin with but I wanted her feel confident, and like fire…wanted her to be on fire…I don’t know…I wanted her to feel however she wanted to feel for what is, for sure, one of her most important milestones to date. One she’ll remember forever. I even remember my prom. I remember finding that red sequin mermaid style dress with my mom, dying my pumps the perfect matching shade, and her helping me with my hair and make up for this very night. It was a big deal.

Well, my friends, I did it! She got up out of my chair, walked to the mirror to check her self out and let out a “Heeeeeeeey!” That let me know, I worked IT OUT! Auntie Kita brought the FIRE!

This week will mark another big milestone for Alex and she graduates high school. I’m so proud of all that she’s done to get here. I’m proud of my sister and her husband for training up this child with patience and godly wisdom guiding them every step of the way. She will start college in the fall as a freshman studying music therapy. She’s a gifted cellist and will learn to use those gifts to help others. How amazing is that? Thank you my Alex for trusting me with your big day. I was honored to share it with you and the family. Congratulations on the start of a new journey. I can’t wait to see the amazing things you accomplish next.