When I was fourteen years old I was sitting at my kitchen table when I received a call from the receptionist at my dentist office, Erin.
Erin: “Hi Marybeth I’m going out on a limb here but my daughter’s birthday party is coming up and she thinks the real Snow White will be there. Since you’re involved in theater I was wondering if you could dress up as Snow White and sing a song? I’ll make the costume and everything. I don’t know what else to do.”
And that’s how it all began.
The party was a success. By the time it was over every child was clinging to my leg begging me to come to their party. And every parent wanted me at their kid’s party too.
Fast forward 7 years and I now have a successful business called Rent-A-Princess. Running a business (including hiring employees and expanding into other states) throughout high school and college has been challenging but even more rewarding. Three years ago I added a charitable component to Rent-A-Princess where princesses visit children battling life-threatening illnesses at hospitals and local treatment centers.
I couldn’t even tell you how many hundreds of times I have dressed up as Cinderella, Rapunzel, Elsa, Anna, Snow White or Ariel for children’s parties.  I often get asked if I’m sick of it, or how I can stand singing “Let it Go” from Frozen thousands of times. Yes, there are days where I am not in the mood to perform in a wig and costume, and let me tell you, “Let it Go” might be tattooed to the back of my eyelids, but every time I walk into a a room filled with adorable four-year-olds, my heart fills with joy and gratitude. I would sing “Let it Go” until my throat stopped working if it meant I could create a magical memory for an innocent little girl. Especially for those quiet heroes battling cancer. It breaks my heart that I can’t make them better. That’s why I will do anything I can to take their mind off their illnesses--even for a moment.
There is something so inspiring about those princess parties. Maybe it’s the look of awe in those children’s eyes, maybe it’s look of joy on the parent’s faces, or maybe, just maybe, it’s the perfect place to forget about what’s going on in the real world.
During a Rent-A-Princess party we are all living in a make believe world. A world where there is no evil. No violence. No sickness. A world where princesses come to life. A world where it’s okay to eat cake for lunch. A world where fairytales exist.
I am inspired every day by the precious children I meet at Rent-A-Princess. Whether they are healthy six year olds or terminally ill three year olds, I am continuously influenced by the kindness in their hearts. It pushes me to keep working hard. It has made me realize I have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of children.
Right now it seems impossible to do this with the violence and chaos we are facing, but those gentle spirited children at Rent-A-Princess inspire me to see the world as a better place--even if I have to make pretend for a little bit.
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