Make a Wish

As a kid, I "loved" Disney films. As a teenager, I was too old and too "mature" for them.Then I became old enough for it to be "cool" to appreciate their vast library of films and extensive history. Then I began to hate the conglomerate and their textbook hero/heroin story-lines. Now, I have two young daughters, and the cycle begins again.

There is a reason why Walt Disney's vision became and remains successful, and that is because of the founded family values and lifelong morals they represent. Sure they have their ups and downs, so does everyone, but it did not take a multi-million dollar movie or a world-renowned theme park to make my daughter's Fourth Birthday "The Bomb!" (maybe I am dating myself); all it took was a group of people that still hold that true family and community value to heart and openly share it in a wonderful public setting.

I am talking about the Northern Arizona University cast, director, and audience of the matinee performance of Cinderella on October 16th. To me, the matinee performance resonated the truest form of "One Community" to date. ("One Community" is a marketing campaign to unite the businesses of Flagstaff with the University's functions). It was, by far, the greatest example of kind-hearted and fun-loving individuals that softens me to the core and reminds me why my family and I sacrifice so much to remain here.

My daughter, Emma, loves all of the highly marketed Disney princesses. She owns numerous toys with the wide variety of races and beauties that Disney has created over the years. It was one of those special coincidences that on the weekend of her Fourth Birthday, the University was performing a rendition of the well-known story, Cinderella. We immediately purchased tickets and planned her special event around this matinee showing. Emma's two best friends, Lilly and Olivia were invited to attend the showing and were encouraged to dress as princesses.

With a crazy idea, I contacted a theater student, who got me in touch with Barbara Jo Maier, the director of the performance. I just wanted to see if, maybe, my daughter and her friends would be able to get some photos with Cinderella on stage after the show to commemorate the special event. What all of us got in return is something this community should be made aware of and applaud openly. Barbara Jo arranged for one of the most rememberable moments in my life and definitely in my young daughter's life. We arranged for Emma to meet the Cinderella. I thought it would be best if we saved it as a surprise at the event. When we got there, all the girls got their tickets



and found their seats.



The Director came over and wished Emma Happy Birthday, then told her that she was going to meet Cinderella after the performance. This is what a four year old girl looks like when they receive such great news.



The play began, and Ellie and I quickly darted to the lobby. This is what Ellie and I did during the play:


then we



and lastly, we



Until we heard the roar of the audience, and then we snuck inside with the camera and some flowers for Emma to give to Cinderella. Grammy Sally was close at hand to grab the baby. I took to the stairway, camera and bouquet in hand. The cast bowed to the clapping crowd. The Prince announced our celebration at hand and then asked for Emma to come down to the stage. Emma put her shoes on. The Prince asked if there was a Birthday Girl named Emma. She waved to the Prince and scurried down the aisle, with Lilly aiding her. Olivia said that she was afraid of the "pink guys", two of the cast members and decided to stay with Gina. I handed off the flowers to Emma and led her to the stage. Emma gave Cinderella the flowers...



...and started to walk off of the stage before she was stopped so that the song could be sung. The entire audience and cast serenaded her. She hid the best way she could in the open space.



Afterwards, the Director presented an awesome present to Emma, Olivia and Lilly, silver bracelets with a charm with the letter "C" engraved on them.



We were ushered to the lobby, and everyone got to get photos taken with the cast members. We got the girls with the Fairy Godmother (who Lilly was dressed as)



as well as with the main attraction.



Other girls were dressed for the occasion.



It was a fantastic experience. Then we headed for the second best part of the party...


... the cake!

I asked Emma later that night, "What did you think was the best part of the play?" She immediately replied, "When I got to go on stage with Cinderella and they sang 'Happy Birthday' to me."

Thank you Barbara Jo Maier, all of NAU's cast and staff, and the wonderful participating audience for an amazing song, one which will always be cherished in my and my family's heart; for at least on this night, we did live "happily ever after."