Family of Four

Oh how I love my family of four.

We just returned from a quick trip to Southern California to relive our first trip to Disneyland.

This time we didn’t chase princesses around with autograph books or listen to Sara sing her way through the “It’s a Small World” ride in Fantasyland.

But we did enjoy Splash Mountain.

Although Annie doesn’t look like it, she enjoyed it too.

And could my mouth get any wider?

Even though it’s embarrassing to share such unflattering pictures of myself, I had to post it because it captures a fleeting moment.

We saw Mickey, Cinderella, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Snow White, and the whole Disney cast.

We watched the parade and sang M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E.

Before the parade came our way, we enjoyed watching a little girl dance in the middle of the street like she was in her own Disney movie.

It reminded me of watching an uninhibited Sara dancing on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, waving her American flag and entertaining everyone around us.

I glanced at my college girls all grown up and remembered how it felt to hold their soft, little hands through the park.

Then I noticed Sara, Annie, and Doug all wiping tears from their eyes. 

Not because they remembered our first magical Disney trip.

But because they were mesmerized by the moment.

How many times does that happen in our lives?

I love Walt Disney and his genius imagination.

I love that he had a vision and a dream, and that he followed it.

I love that he created a world of make believe that is so real and tangible that it moves people to tears.

Most of all, I love my family of four and our memories.

From this trip, I will remember Annie getting drenched on the Grizzly water ride at California Adventure, celebrating Doug’s birthday at his favorite restaurant, P.F. Changs, and watching him make a wish and blow out a candle, knowing he wished something good for all four of us, not just him, because that’s just how he is.

I will remember our girls’ night before Doug arrived when Sara, Annie, and I snuggled in my king size bed and watched a movie.

And I’ll remember the warm feeling of just sitting in our hotel room together after several months of being apart.

Oh how I love my family of four.