rites of passage.

I met a great group of teenagers this weekend.

And I'm not always too fond of teenagers. One of my least favorite situations is being on assignment and getting caught in the hallway of a high school during a change of classes.

It makes me feel suffocated, nervous, agitated.

But this was only six kids, and they were great.

I was invited to photograph Natalie's prom.

When I first arrived, the girls were giggling uncontrollably as they got ready in a bedroom. I snapped some photos, and hoped they would relax enough to let me into their world for the night.

It worked.

I think.

The dates were just as nice as Natalie and her girlfriends. Respectful, cooperative, NICE guys. They played along without a single complaint, and even seemed to enjoy themselves while hundreds of photos were being taken.

I followed the group to the Field Museum, where prom was being held. I waited with Jim D. and the kids to be allowed into the big hall, which was still being set up.

As I watched more kids arrive, memories of my own prom, in 1985, came flooding back. I went to prom with Al Sarro, a good friend who sadly did not return the affection I felt for him.

But Al liked to dance. He was adorable, and a lot of fun to be around. We had a good time, and I am forever grateful for the good memories that remain from an important night in a teenager's life.

I wondered if the 2009 prom couples realized they would also likely remember this night well into adulthood. Good or bad, memories were going to be made that evening that quite possibly would last forever.

Looking older beyond their years, but also like nervous kids, they walked up the steps to the historic museum, dressed to the nines and ready to allow their life to happen.

I felt honored to be part of it.

And I found out that being around teenagers isn't so bad after all.