About this time two years ago, my older son ran on the spring track team.  One day for practice, the team captain took them running past a rival high school where his girlfriend was attending her own sports practice.  The boys on the track team held up signs that the girl could see from her position on the athletic field--inviting her to the prom.

The type of cleverness, ingenuity and secrecy that guys employ when inviting a girl to the prom is right up there with planning marriage proposals.

My son has also helped his friends set up scavenger hunts that would end up in a prom invitation.  Students at other schools have used strategies like hiring airplanes to write messages in the sky, spelling out messages in sushi, and even involving the entire marching band.

In some cases, it becomes a "can you top this?" kind of thing.  And while the idea is sweet, you have to feel for the guy who shells out big bucks on just the invitation--only to be turned down.

Even teachers have gotten in on the act, allowing students to leave class to deliver invitations (or pieces of them) or taking part in the scheme by acting a scripted role.

These guys are setting the bar really high.  By the time my eight-year-old is ready for prom, he'll probably have to jump out of an airplane or something to get his prospective date's attention.

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