EAGLE, Idaho — Proms are usually held in the spring, but not at Edgewood Senior Living in Eagle. The senior care facility decided to throw a back-to-school Golden Senior Prom for its residents.
"We are so excited we are having our Golden Senior Prom," said Randi Knefel, Executive Director of Edgewood Senior Living. "It is so much fun, we see our residents really come alive."
Allen said she is living her best life at Edgewood.
"We have fun parties here at this place," Allen said. "I'm quite a party girl and I always have been."
The best part about this Golden Senior Prom is that Edgewood invited a group of kids. Raegen Lee is one of the lucky guests.
"Everyone's just dancing and it's really fun for all the old grandmas to dress up," Lee said.
The kids at the prom are from a local homeschool group. Lee loves to come to Edgewood to spend time with the residents.
"We come visit with them and play Scrabble and BINGO, they really like that," Lee said. "We just keep coming, and it's really fun for us to come here. Sometimes they might feel lonely or they just need someone to talk to."
This prom is an incredible example of two totally different generations coming together to share their life experiences and a whole lot of fun.
"The older people have had so much life experience and they can share it with the next generation," said guest Tyson Lee. "They have so many fun things from their childhood and stuff, from their family growing up, and we get to hear all about it."
Allen said it's special to share stories about her life with the kids. She has lived to see so much.
"You know we have lived a long time, I was born in 1930, and I could tell you stories that would really shock you," Allen said. "I have some fun ones, too."
Allen, loves to dance, and you can see it on the dance floor. She's out there with her walker, she said nothing stops her from having a good time.
"I love it, I love everything about it, it makes you feel good," Allen said. "Well honestly, I used to dance better. But, now at 94, honey, you just can't dance as well."
One of the best parts of the prom, was the crowning of the king and queen, who just recently fell in love at Edgewood.
"Farid and Elaine are our king and queen," said Executive Director Knefel. "They just started dating since they lived here."
They are proof it's never too late to meet that special someone. The couple took a spin in a classic car as prom royalty.
"Oh, they had so much fun, they were beaming," Knefel said.
Knefel said he knows how important an event like this is for the people who live here.
"I think this will continue every year, this was our first prom but it definitely won't be our last," he said.
That was music to Allen's dancing feet. She said she loved every minute of her prom experience.
"It's the greatest party in the world, you'll never find a better bunch of people," Allen said.
Young and old, these are the community connections that just make life sweeter. Edgewood often invites kids to events because they said it keeps everyone young at heart. It's something the people at Edgewood hope other care facilities adopt, because bringing kids and older people together brings so much joy.