MUSKEGON, Mich. --Just in time for Mother's Day, a West Michigan son gives his mother something only he could give.
Last Friday, Muskegon senior Jah'vontae Smith took his mom to his senior prom after she missed her own while she was pregnant with him.
Smith says he's been thinking about asking his mom to prom for years.
At first, she denied her son's request.
"I said, 'No, I’m like, I’m too old to go to prom,'" Smith's mom Joy Bridges said. "I gave every excuse in the book; 'I gotta work, I don't have time, or money to get a dress.'"
After Smith gave his mom money for a dress, she caved in, and traveled to Detroit to pick out a bright red dress with a high slit.
"After that, I couldn't say no," she said.
A dress fit for a woman whose always put others first, picked out by her son who was eager to give his mom a memory she never had.
Bridges had every intention of going to her own senior prom, but got pregnant with Smith while in high school.
"By the time my prom came around, the dress I had purchased, it was way too small. It wouldn't even pull up. Buying a new dress; I couldn’t do it because I had a baby on the way," Bridges said.
Although Bridges was bummed she missed the big dance years ago, she tells FOX 17 her focus has always been her kids.
"She loves her kids, she loves us all," Smith said. "She’s our only one in our corner; she’s always there she’ll never leave."
Bridges is a single mom. Smith's father left them at a young age.
"I’ve always been told a woman can’t raise a man, it’s impossible. No it’s not, because I’ve raised an incredible young man by myself."
Bridges wasn't even sure her son would live to see his senior year. When he was five-years-old, doctors found a tumor in the back of his head. He had surgery, but was only given a 50/50 chance to live.
"I was blessed to have him here with me walking, talking, and taking me to prom," Bridges said.
It's something the two never thought would happen, but proved that a son and mother can make a perfect pair.
Bridges says she didn't end up going to the dance portion of prom because she wanted Smith to enjoy that part with his friends. However, they did make it to Muskegon High's "show off" event.
Their pictures are already making their rounds on Facebook, with more than 2,000 shares.
"I’m glad I made her happy, she’s always making me happy," Smith said.
Smith will graduate from Muskegon High later this month. He plans to attend GRCC next year and take science and business courses. His ultimate dream is to become a neurosurgeon.
