Candid Country Life: Timothy's Big Day... His Formal...

10 October 2014 was here... The day had arrived. Timothy went to school for the first two lessons and then I picked up both boys at first lunch. Timothy went to the Barber, for Vicki to do her thing. The end result made him look very smart.

Then, we went home and chilled for a while. Timothy nervously walked around the house in his new shoes... There was loads of joking around with Joshua! We tried our best to keep his mind off just how nervous he was. He was worried the entrance wouldn't go as he had planned for ages. He had even been getting into the other side of the car to where he had sat all his life, so he could get used to getting out and helping his partner out...

3pm came and it was time to get dressed in his suit. I'm glad that at this point the day was a little overcast, as he could have been very hot in his suit otherwise. We left home at 3:30pm. It was sad that Russell's mum Erica couldn't come as well but she was still sick and wouldn't have been able to cope...

At 4pm, Timothy and I went to Bryson's to pick up his buttonhole and Caitlyn's bracelet. Lyn had done a most beautiful job on the both!

4:15pm, Russell, Timothy, Joshua and I met Caitlyn, her parents Bob and Fiona and sister Tarissa, who was also the official photographer, down at the Condamine River :) Beautiful photos were taken all around and when Timothy gave Caitlyn her bracelet, he also gave her a pair of earrings, as a Thank You present for going with him to the Formal.

At 5:15pm, we all went to Frasers Transport Depot to meet the couple's driver, Jeffrey, and take photos with the truck in the depot and at Lesley Park...

At just before 7pm, they made their grand entrance. The truck got loads of cheers from the huge crowd. Tim even waved to the crowd as they arrived! Tim got out first, so he could do his gentlemanly duties and help his lovely partner, Caitlyn, down. He did a fantastic job. He guided her perfectly up the red carpet, and they had their photos taken along the way.

Then it was off inside the RSL's Kings Theatre for their Night of Nights!

The two families stayed in the main bistro area, as the theatre only had room for the approx 200 students. I do wish I had of gotten to have a Mother-Son dance though...

The food was fantastic, I must say! Timothy's too. He had ravioli for entrée, steak with vegetables for main and 'The Great Gatsby' themed cake for dessert. He overloaded on the free refills though with about 7 glasses of lemonade and some water. At the end of the night, he was feeling a little worse for wear.

His case manager in the Support Unit, Mrs Jody Jarred sent me some sneak peeks from inside, that I so appreciated. He had a ball dancing the night away with Caitlyn, as well as his great friend Sam and many of his other friends. He was going for the 'Best dancer' prize but sadly, missed out. He said he did allot of yelling...

On the way home at 11:45pm, he stated that the real thing was the best day of his life, so far anyway, and much better than the mock formal he had had at his year 11 camp! I would have hoped so.

I'm soooo glad he went. Originally, he wasn't going, then he was going alone, then Caitlyn asked him to take her and he said Yes. A number of the girls ended up pairing up, as there was not enough young men to take them all...

So, now the first one is over... It has given Joshua a great insight to what to expect for two years' time, when it's his turn :) It always seems like an eternity to get here and then it's over so quickly. I mentioned to Timothy, many times leading up to the day and on the day, just to have a blast. To not take into account how others felt or what they were doing. To just dance till you can't dance anymore. Grin and laugh hard. Enjoy. It's your special night and it won't come around again. And he did!

I am in awe of just how far he has come. He inspires me sooooo much. He just keeps trying. Keeps pushing through. I am soooo very proud of him. Everyday at this point of his last year at school has been a challenge, yet each day he's achieving more and more. Many learn from you, Timothy, though you don't even realise that... Love you so very much, my very precious Son!

Blessings,