Dave Rygalski stood at the doorstep of her house, guitar case in one hand and a bouquet of wildflowers in the other. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. He had faced crowds and played countless gigs, but this felt different—this was personal.

She had warned him that her mom could be a bit intimidating, but Dave was determined. He knocked on the door, and after what felt like an eternity, it opened to reveal her mother, an imposing figure with a discerning gaze.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," Dave began, his voice steady despite his nerves. "I'm Dave Rygalski. I'm here to talk to you about taking your daughter to prom."

Her mother’s eyebrows arched slightly, and she glanced down at the flowers. "Come in, David."

He stepped inside, feeling the weight of the moment. She led him to the living room, where he took a seat on the edge of the couch. She sat across from him, her expression unreadable.

"Ma'am," Dave started, clearing his throat, "I know prom is a big deal, and I wanted to speak to you directly because I respect you and your daughter. I want to assure you that I have the utmost respect for her and your family."

Her mother remained silent, so he continued, "I’ve been getting to know your daughter, and she’s incredible. Smart, talented, kind... I really care about her. I know how important your approval is to her, and it’s important to me too."