I had 2 other topics in line for today’s About The Author post, buut I don’t wanna talk about them! I really just want to talk about our recent trip to Disney.

Our family hasn’t been out of the Bay Area since 2019. We’re not big travelers anyhow, and when we do go it’s only a couple hours away. The furthest we’ve been was when we were coerced into visiting the narc mom.

I grew up a Disney kid tho. My bio mom was an ultra-fanatic, so we went AT LEAST once a year. For her, not for us. And after that, the last time I was there was my senior trip in ’98. Soo, it’s been 27 years for me.

Our family was in desperate need of a trip. The Huz even declared that the first thing we were spending our tax return on this year was just that. But late October last year, we got a text from dear friends inviting us to join them for Disney. We honestly thought we were just never gonna go. Our kids were never interested, cuz they never saw the movies. And for a family who lives a simplified life, we just never thought we could ever afford it. As a matter of fact, when our kids were little- they thought the Disney STORE was DisneyLAND and that was enough for them!! Haha! This invitation was too good to pass up and we adored this family, so it was a simple yes for us.

We took our time traveling to get there and spent our first night at Downtown Disney. Never been, didn’t know anything about it. Um, how cool!! We had these amazing burgers for dinner and walked around a bit, looking through a few shops.

The next day we did Disneyland. Days and weeks prior, we would ask each other around the dinner table what we were looking forward to most. I would always answer: “Just being on Main Street.” Well that, and the gift shops. I didn’t even have anything to buy!! I just wanted to look at everything! And sure enough, as soon as we entered and walked on Main Street, it hit me- we were in DISNEYLAND!!?! I was brought right back to Little Me. I don’t have very many fond memories of my childhood, but walking into Disneyland had all the nostalgia for sure.

I needed to use the bathroom. (I’m not gonna say too much about the friends we traveled with to protect their privacy…plus, this is my story) We were taken to this exclusive lounge, as they wanted us to see + use the nice bathroom. I had to be taken up by elevator, since I was in my wheelchair. I just had to use the bathroom real quick, no biggie. When we got up there and the elevator doors opened, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Thee Mickey and Minnie were standing right in front of me. I paused real quick to realize what a big deal this was. There are scheduled times they are brought out in the park and LINES formed to meet them. But here they were, standing in front of me, waving!? SO UNEXPECTED. There was a handler standing next to them. Yes I needed to use the bathroom…but I wasn’t gonna just let them be right there and not even say hi! I asked if I could say hi and their handler said of course. When I tell you they FAWNED OVER me like they KNEW my inner child and KNEW she wanted to feel seen!! They barely even acknowledged my daughter who was pushing my wheelchair (they did finally say hi to her real quick tho). She said Mickey made a “pwa” sound when he kissed me! Tears were rolling down my face, I couldn’t control it. I asked if we could take a picture and again the handler said of course. The tears still kept rolling. By the time we were done and met my son (oh yeah I did use the bathroom), he was like “are you good?” haha cuz I was still crying! It wasn’t that I was “starstruck” per se, it was all Little Me. The way that they just gave me all this attention (which side note – I did notice cast members waving + smiling at me and not so much my son while he was pushing my wheelchair, like it’s something they are told/taught to do) just made Adult Me feel so loved. I understand the Disney “magic”.

The next day we did DCA. Again, never been. And that place was even cooler! We had the best hosts that knew all the cool rides and places to eat and things to do + see. I loved Soarin’ and the Cars ride! I was honestly just so happy to BE THERE. It didn’t even matter what we were doing…I was so GRATEFUL. My daughter, my only 13-year-old daughter, said something pretty profound. After telling her how happy I was to be at Disney, she says “This time you get to do it for yourself, and not for her.” (speaking of the narc bio mom) Are you crying?? What an incredible thing for her to think of and say!! #InnerChildHealing

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