The Happiest Place on Earth

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who thought she was a princess.


Okay, so she wasn't so much a little girl. She was 17.


And she wasn't exactly a princess. But, she was the drum major of a marching band that was performing in the Rose Bowl parade.

As part of her trip, that little girl was extatic that she also got to perform at the happiest place on Earth.

As you may have guessed, that little girl was me. And this was the last time I was at Disneyland.

And even at 17, that little girl looked forward to the day she would bring her own family to Disneyland. At the time, it seemed like a beautiful, elusive and far-away dream.

Recently, though, that dream came true.

I got to take my daughter to Disneyland! Yes, she is a tiny little pumpkin, and clearly this is not a trip she will remember.

For me, on the other hand, it was a trip I will always cherish. It literally brought tears to my eyes to walk down Mainstreet with my husband and our daughter!

It was a truly wonderful experience.

As per my usual, I was worried... perhaps it would be too much for Leah and a terrible outing for us all. But, in typical Leah fashion, she was smiling and delightful the entire day.

We had to take it slow, and we didn't ride very many rides. To me, though, that was never the point to begin with. Every time I looked into my husband's face, or my daughter's, I was almost overcome with joy.

I couldn't help but feel immense gratitude for the sheer wonderful-ness (wonderosity?) that is my life!

My favorite memory was during our drive home after what was without doubt the busiest, most over-stimulating day of Leah's life, and still, that sweet baby was smiling and chatting away with me as I sat in the back seat of the car.

At 17, I ran around the park as fast as I could so that I could be sure to ride each ride. At 26, I was perfectly content to do more walking than runing. Everything we did was so much more magical and exciting because of the handsome man at my side and the beautiful little lady in my arms.

The only thing that remains the same is that I can't wait to go back next time... especially since next time, I'll really get to enjoy the magic through Leah's eyes!