Kyle Green

Essays: Prom Wedding

Seventeen-year-olds Jessica White, and Casey Dalton got married and went to their senior prom on the same day. Jessica and Casey believe their love is strong, and don't see why others think that their getting married is such a big deal. More than half of teen marriages end in divorce, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Engaged couple, Jessica White (right, age 17), and Casey Dalton (left, age 17), watch television at Casey's parents house as a wedding cake topper from Wal-Mart sits on the coffee table in front of them. Jessica, who is a senior at William Fleming, and Casey, who recently received his GED, have been dating since August, and currently live together at Casey's parents house.
  
"Nobody will return my calls!", said newlywed to be, Jessica White as she buried her face in her hands on the steps of Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke, Virginia. Jessica was dealing with a problem with her flowers and cake arrangements, waiting for someone to show up to open the church, and wedding attendees who needed directions.
   
Bride-to-be, Jessica White (right, age 17), gasps as she realizes that in the rush of the day, she has forgotten to put on her garter before her wedding to Casey Dalton (left, age 17).
     
  
As Pastor, Demond Hammond (middle) looks on, Jessica White (left, age 17), slips the ring on the finger of her fiancée, Casey Dalton (right, age 17) during their wedding ceremony at Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke, Virginia. "It was hard. His hand was swollen", Jessica stated.
   
Newlyweds, Jessica Dalton (left, age 17), and Casey Dalton (right, age 17), dance their first dance together as a married couple on the basketball court of an old gym attached to the Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke, Virginia.
  
Newlywed, Jessica Dalton (left, age 17), laughs as her husband Casey Dalton (right, age 17), misses a step during a line dance for the song "Cha Cha Slide" by Casper during William Fleming's "A Night in Paris" prom held at the Wyndam Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia. "The hard part is over. Now I just have to meet a bunch of people.” Casey said on the way down to the prom. "A lot of people (William Fleming students) know that someone (from the school) got married, but not many know who I am", said Jessica.
     
  
After getting married earlier in the day, newlyweds, Jessica Dalton (right, age 17), and Casey Dalton (left, age 17), share a late night kiss during the waning hours of William Fleming's "A Night in Paris" prom.
   
On a night that included their wedding, and senior prom, newlyweds, Jessica Dalton (left age 17), and Casey Dalton (right age 17), arrive back at their room at the Wyndam Hotel. Monday, Jessica will be back at William Fleming to finish her senior year, while Casey will go back to his job as a diesel mechanic. Jessica and Casey believe their love is strong, and don't see why others think that their getting married is such a big deal. "I just love her", Casey stated, and Jessica said, "I found someone I love. There is no reason to wait". More than half of teen marriages end in divorce, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.