A recent dinner conversation included reminiscing about favourite teenage flicks from the 90s and early 2000s, most of which included – surprise, surprise – a (usually USA-based) prom (situation). And with prom season fast approaching, I went down memory lane.

I don’t know how many times I watched She’s All That as my own prom approached, on VHS – the nostalgia! This scene in particular enjoyed some rewinding:

Then there was this here whimsical thing – the first time I had heard Kirsten Dunst sing was in Get Over It.

And, of course, Miss Congeniality. Even if it didn’t contain a prom scene and was about adults, not teens, it was very funny and had plenty of scene-stealing moments from Sandra Bullock that were more than adaptable to the excited prom mindset.

My own prom wasn’t a glittering, disco-light-soaked affair like in the movies above, and a memorable musical number wasn’t included either. In fact, the best part was going up on stage during the official part and having my family watch me get my diploma, and then joyfully leaving to celebrate elsewhere after seeing that the dancefloor in the school canteen had quickly become a mass of drunk teenagers and parents. I think I was fortunate to have an inkling that this was not the gateway to the rest of my life, but that my life was already happening. Despite the mild disappointment of not dancing the night away in a haze of youthful laughter and confetti, I knew this was not the last party ever. So I just amped up the positivity and focused on the not unimportant event of graduating.

There will indeed be other parties – student parties, friend parties, wedding parties, summer parties, birthday parties, family parties, work parties, all of them different and educational in their own unique ways. The glories of adulthood and not being a minor will also ensure an independent and rounded partying experience. And psst, despite what some people may repeat to you, there is no age limit to this. Don’t listen to the party poopers.