Our household follows many of the church doctrine including not attending dances until they are fourteen years old, which Michael did not seem to have an issue with, however Steffen’s friends think mom’s rule is silly and old fashion and have asked him to lie to me, so he can attend a dance with them. However, he made the decision to ‘choose the right’ and continues to wait until he is fourteen.
Both Steffen and Michael are busy with young men-young woman activities, Boy Scouts, and Michael attends Seminary (an early morning Bible study group before school). For the third year in a row, Michael finished in the 100 percent club (attending Seminary with 100% attendance). At the end of the school year is a semi-formal dinner with the Stake leaders, followed by a dance. Michael attended the dinner and dance yesterday evening; however, my ever-growing son came into my room last night with a pair of slacks, which were too short on him. I asked if the seam had been taken out and he said it had been and of course, his other slacks were in the laundry. Yes, I know poor planning on both his and mom’s part; he really should have had slacks ready to go for the dinner. Nonetheless, I told him to find a good pair of jeans with no stains, rips, or holes. He wore a nice pair of Wrangler jeans, black button-down shirt, silver vest, and a bolo tie. He looked very sharp.
Then from what I understand, fifteen minutes before the dance ended, someone tapped him on the shoulder, lend him into a room, telling him he was improperly dressed, and had him watch a video on modesty. Really? Modesty? I could understand maybe, if he was dressed in hot pants or had his pants hanging down to his knees giving everyone a view of his boxers, but hello, that was not the case.
He also told me he spoke to the Stake President a few moments before the dance, and he patted him on the shoulder and told him to have fun. I honestly think, and hope, if the Stake President had a problem, he would have pulled Michael aside and told him he needed to call his parents and have them either bring a pair of slacks or take him home. I would really like to know who this man was and why he appointed himself to be the fashion police?
I do have to commend Michael on not making a scene, because I don’t think I would have had the fortitude or control not to. He came home upset, of course. However, woke up at the crack of dawn, got dressed for church, and will be preparing the Sacrament this morning.
I, on the other hand, am fit to be tied, for I believe this situation could have been handed with a lot more tact!