I went to my first prom last night and had the time of my life.

My friend Tim Ellsworth and I were invited by Todd Perry, Executive Director of the Pujols Family Foundation to attend their third annual prom for young adults with Down syndrome:

Get dressed up and boogie! After such a successful event last year we had to this again! This event will be invitation only to people with Down syndrome, ages 16 and older. The Dance will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton on October 23, 2009.

Though Albert had elbow surgery just this week, he and his wife Deidre lit up the room with beaming smiles, taking great joy in the fun everyone was having.

Special guest Fredbird, the St. Louis Cardinals’ mascot, led a dance line with hundreds of super-smiling kids joining in behind him.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographed the event, and put some pics on the front page of the Saturday print edition. They can also be seen online here. I even got snapped in the background of photo #5 as I came in the door.

You have never seen so many people have so much fun as when you get 350+ Down syndrome teens and young adults into formal wear, and then turn them loose on the dance floor.

For me, the highlight of the evening was when I was singled out for a “couples dance” by a new friend of mine (see picture above).

There is profound joy in seeing the image of God displayed in the faces and lives of these kids.