A Very Special Disneyland Celebration – #Disneyland60

One of my earliest, favorite memories was sitting on the bathroom counter watching my mom put her hair in a ponytail and then doing mine to match. I’m not sure how old I was, but I remember being completely enamored with her and wanting to be just like her. Years later as a teen, I remember thinking to myself, what is it going to be like when I don’t live at home anymore. I mean, true, she won’t be there to tell me to clean my room, but I was saddened at the thought of not talking to her everyday. Then, life happened. I grew up, got married to the man of my dreams, had adorable children and got busy being a wife and a mom. She retired and happily travels the world for weeks at a time and, although we don’t talk everyday, she’s still always there and I am blessed to know she is only ever a phone call away.

Probably about the same time as my earlier memory, my parents took us to Disneyland. It was February of 1987 and even though I credit my love for Disney Parks to our trip to Walt Disney World Resort a couple of years later, it’s only because I can’t remember the details of our Disneyland trip as vividly. This coming Thursday, Disneyland is celebrating their 60th birthday and you can imagine my excitement in experiencing the Diamond Celebration on a very special mother-daughter trip. That’s right, we will be there together on our first mother-daughter trip in decades. I am beyond thrilled and also terrified as can be. I hate being away from my hubby and I have never been away from our kiddos for more than a night. There is a flurry of emotions inside me, but come Thursday, we will be heading to Disneyland to celebrate not only the 60th birthday, but a very special trip and magical moment in both of our lives. With all of the joy, there is a bittersweet part of this trip for us. (We will be honoring you up there, so I hope you’re watching.) I keep telling myself it is going to be okay and to cherish moments like these because you never know how long you have.

Disneyland means a lot to many and I have a feeling that after this trip, it will mean even more to me. Thank you, Mom, for agreeing to this adventure. I can’t wait to begin making memories to last us another 60 years and celebrate the birthday of such a happy place. Who else is planning on attending the Diamond Celebration? I’d love to hear your Disneyland story.