Do you know the people who are always in the background of Homecoming proposal posts, awkwardly watching every time but never getting asked? Yeah. That’s me. 

Recently, I witnessed my friend receive a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts with ‘PLEASE DONUT SAY NO. HOMECOMING?’ written on the top of the box. 

Although my initial instinct is to pity myself—as I surprisingly have yet to land a date—upon further consideration I know that there is no point in feeling this way, since I know that I have many more cliche high school experiences to come, and many friends to enjoy them with. Though, this acceptance is something that’s taken some thought to come to. 

Ever since I found out about high school dances, through social media or movies and TV shows, I couldn’t wait to be asked out in a spectacular fashion. A trademark of what high school should be is experiencing the dances and the events that go along with them. I had obsessed over every chick-flick in the book, and had long awaited that “Cinderella experience.” But, in the midst of such fairytale fantasies, I forget to remember that I can be accompanied by friends rather than a date. 

Think about it, how many of these Homecoming relationships and encounters do you think people will remember in like 20 years? I know that people stress and constantly worry about who they’ll go to the dance with. Walking around and seeing other students receive those cute proposals is definitely like a small punch to the face. On the one hand, when I walk past one, I feel excited for them and long to be asked in a similar way. On the other, I have to comfort myself by saying  that even without a date, it will be possible to make the most of the event. And besides, it’s my first year here; I have no business worrying about any of that right now. 

We have so much time to experience classic high school events that we don’t really have to be anxious about who to go with. I know that even if I don’t have a date, I’ll be able to find people who I’ll have fun at the dance with. 

Finding people I enjoy being around to go with will make up for not landing a date. Plus, I’ll be looking forward to a night of dancing without having to fret about what my date is thinking about. Even without a date, we’ll all still be able to experience Homecoming. We’ll still get dinner, we’ll still take pictures and we’ll still have a good time together. And who knows, it could be that in the future I get to experience the momentary bliss of a cleverly worded poster, but for now, I’ll appreciate the present.