Disneyland

While we were in California, Chris and I celebrated our 7th anniversary by taking Daisy to Disneyland. Chris' parents accompanied us, so we couples got to take turns slipping away to the more grown-up rides. For a souvenir, we bought one of those overpriced pictures they take on rides: Chris and I went on Splash Mountain and had our log all to ourselves; we posed by making heart shapes above our heads with our arms as we were falling.

My parents found my sister's now vintage Minnie dress and we layered it on Daisy. We all had a fabulous day. Daisy still talks about going on those rides from her favorite movies, eating at the Pinocchio restaurant, and hugging the characters.

Papa, Daisy, Daddy, and Nana
Walking down Main Street

Daisy's favorite ride: Teacups

Confiding in a princess

I have to confess that a little childhood flutter arose in me when Cinderella looked me in the eye and told me, "I like your coat." Um, thanks Cinderella, I like your dress!

Walking around at Disneyland felt like visiting my old house, elementary school, middle school, and high school all in one. Since we lived so close to the park, my family had passes since I was very young, and then when I got older, I went with groups of friends. Chris is the same - he went a ton as a child, and then worked there as a teenager. Coming as parents with our child was a really special experience for us - almost a rite of passage.

Memories flooded my mind; the layout of Disneyland hasn't really changed at all since twenty years ago. It seemed that every corner drew out childhood images and feelings:

- Marching in parades with band
- After seeing the notice "Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult," I became very excited to ride by myself once I turned that responsible age. I tried a ride by myself and quickly realized that it's actually more fun to be accompanied by an adult
- Taking my sister on her first time on Matterhorn without telling her there were roaring monsters around some corners...and trying to console her afterward
- Pushing my brother, 13 years younger than I, in his stroller
- Debating the Christian response to The Haunted Mansion
- Waiting in an incredibly long line with my dad in anticipation for my first time on Space Mountain - and chickening out right before it was our turn. I'll never forget his "Really?!" expression on his face, and I'll always remember how he never gave me a hard time about it.
- My first kiss - with all my friends watching
- Doing history homework with my friend Leila while sipping iced mochas - and listening to tourists exclaiming "homework at Disneyland??" We probably so ruined the magic.

I understand the value of returning to places you grew up in. My identity is in my experiences, and nothing helps trigger those experiential memories like smells, sounds, and rides.