I have so many amazing memories with my dad that it is hard to chose just one. But one of my absolute favorites was when he convinced me I was a real princess. Yes. That’s right. A real princess.
I was a little kid and while I can’t remember exactly how old I was, I do remember how just how magical it was. Picture this. It was summer in Willits, grandma’s flower gardens were in full bloom. The creek had water AND salamanders in it. My dad sits me down outside to tell me that I am in fact a princess, but need to go through some princess of the forest training with the forest fairies to make it official. (Because obviously). For a few weeks, the fairies would leave me instructions for tasks that I needed to complete, in very very tiny handwriting, while I was sleeping. They would also leave small gifts like jewelry and other trinkets or toys for completing them.
As you can imagine, I thought this was SO AMAZING and was determined to meet one of these fairies. So I devised a plan to sleep in the tree house my dad built me so that I can catch them in action. It didn’t matter how many times I slept out there. The fairies were elusive, and I never saw one. I did find out that all the training would lead to my official coronation ceremony at the Disneyland Castle a short time after that.
I can’t remember exactly how much time passed before my official ceremony. But I was a kid and I am sure you can understand that it felt like a freaking ETERNITY. The weekend it finally happened, my dad and I stayed at his girlfriend’s house near Disneyland somewhere, where it just so happened that the fairies flew their ahead of us and decorated the room I was staying in. Not only that, but they left me a custom dress to wear for the occasion and a box full of jewels.
First thing in the morning, my dad and I headed to Disneyland, were our first stop what to pick out the fanciest princess crown we could find at the Disney castle crown shop. As part of the deal, I needed to wear it all day to seal the deal princess wise. Just after, I danced with a bunch of Disney princesses in some kind of parade and spent most of the day riding rides and eating too much candy.
Side note: My dad was a real good sport. He stood in line for It’s a small world at least 4 times that day, and now that I am an adult, all I can say is respect. That is some real dedication.
After my official ascension to the throne, my dad let me believe I was a princess for a long time. In fact he encouraged it until someone spoiled the fantasy (which was rude). I later found out it was my dad writing the fairy notes with a magnifying glass and sneaking presents and instructions for me to find super early in the morning, so I didn’t catch him. He also sewed the princess dress himself.
When I think about this, I also find myself thinking about all the other magic and fun that my dad brought me my entire life. (There is too much to count) What he did took different forms at different points, but he made sure even mundane things were full of sparkle. And he taught me to see and feel the magic and enjoy life no matter what. My dad was a gift and I will miss him always.
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