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Alright. I sat down to begin writing my first official *article* for this blog and realized that when I moved to Windows 7 a couple days ago, I forgot to back up my Disney research. Normally I would have freaked out. I am not the kind that handles change or chaos very well. I am strangely ok with it though. I have the opportunity to re-read so much, and in doing so found a wonderful source or two. At the moment I am digesting and still consuming so much information that I can’t possibly produce anything worth reading but I thought I would share a couple thoughts on what Disney has meant to me, and to my life.

If you would have known me in High School, Disney is the last thing you would have guessed would be a big part of my life. Politics, psychology, even law would have been more realistic. I am not saying that those things aren’t still part of my everyday life, but I am a far cry from the girl I was 10 years ago (my freshman year).

I guess everything really changed when I decided to get married. Another thing no one would have guessed I would do (even though I was engaged for 18 months from June of 01 to February 03). My husband is everything I could have ever asked for (and so much more). He makes my dreams come true, from the smallest wish (a piece of cake on a random day) to my deepest dreams (whatever they end up being) and for that I can never thank him enough. I am lucky in so many ways.

What does that have to do with Disney you ask? Well, from the time I was a little girl, I wanted to honeymoon in Disneyland. We got married in October and even though it took 2 months (and a few loans), he gave me that honeymoon. The very first day I fell in love with the ideals and gifts that Walt Disney gave the world. I remember distinctly the moment I knew I was home, and it was when it was time to leave. Like many who visit the parks for the first time (even though it was technically my third) I didn’t want to go home. I wanted to stay until they kicked me out, to experience everything the park had to offer. We decided to ride the train and eat the fudge we bought earlier to recoup some energy. Sitting there, my mouse ears and smile plastered to my head, I assessed the day I had. Just as a small child would, I started to fall asleep. My brand new husband leaned over, kissed me and told me we had to go get some sleep, which I immediately refused. I wasn’t tired, I could go for another 2 hours! He told me I would be able to come back the next day and my heart swelled at that simple thought. It didn’t have to end, just a little break. We went back to the hotel and I slept and dreamed of Disney (in the weird way dreams make things seem). When I woke up I realized what that feeling was, it was home. It was happiness and joy that he brought me and that had not dwindled even after sleeping. Most importantly, it is when I realized that Jeremy was who I wanted forever.

To this day, every time I enter the gates, my heart swells and my eyes well up. Disney (and of the 5 American parks that I have visited) is my home. No matter what happens, no matter how many challenges we are faced with, I know that home is there, waiting for me.