I cried so hard my makeup smeared onto my corsage after my boyfriend texted at 11 PM, saying he wasn’t ready for something serious. I didn’t want to go to prom anymore, but my dad insisted, bringing a suit and a new corsage. He matched his tie to my gown and walked me into the gym like I was the best date there.
People stared, smiled, and clapped. The DJ called him the coolest dad, and we danced—awkwardly at first, but soon I was laughing. My friend Lila said it was the most wholesome thing she’d seen. My ex showed up with another girl, and though it stung, I chose to dance with Dad instead of dwelling on it. We even won “Cutest Pair”
from the prom committee, and Dad bowed dramatically, making everyone cheer. Later, my ex tried to talk, but I shut him down and felt free. Dad promised I’d never face heartbreak alone, and I believed him. At school, people called it iconic. It sparked other dads to step up for their daughters. Months later, my ex apologized, but I’d moved on. That night taught me what respect and care look like, setting a standard for love. It wasn’t the prom I planned, but it became my favorite memory.
