I wore a formal dress that belonged to my grandmother to the prom. My date wore his Army uniform (which was a bit of a shocker in the 70s, but he was 6'6" and nobody said a word.) We went to the prom in a 1962 Studebaker convertible. My parents did pay for me to have my hair done.
We got married 4 years later. Still married 29 years later. I still have the dress, in case my daughter wants to wear it to the prom (I don't think so - it's sadly out of fashion now.)
you may be surprised to find your daughter will want to wear your dress .. retro is very in.
wonderful story, btw
God bless you and your soldier husband.