I’ll never forget this moment.
We were aboard the Disney Dream, our first experience with a Disney cruise line, and we knew within five minutes of boarding it would not be our last. “Now welcoming the Reist Family!” was the jubilant introduction we received stepping on the ship. My daughter ran into the arms of a princess the minute we were on board, and my son was geared up for the Aqua Duck, despite the chilly breeze in Florida that Monday.
The kids club, the friendly family assigned wait staff at every dinner, the interactive activities, the pirate party...it was all amazing. But nothing topped this moment.
It was our last evening to watch the evening entertainment (another amazing feature of this cruise). The kids were so engaged, smiling and laughing throughout, and it was clear all were having a fantastic time.
But then the confetti canon went off. Vibrantly coloured little pieces of nothing floated from the ceiling and my son, as if on cue, jumped up and began cheering as if he had been given the best gift of all.
It was sheer joy. Unbridled joy sparked by a confetti canon. Joy because he met his favourite character, Stitch, that week. Joy because he hugged Queen Elsa, an act he now claims was not ‘that cool’. Joy because he spent one whole week experiencing magic around every corner. It was joy, and although he had been happy all week, appreciative every day, it was then I saw pure joy and innocence and childhood in all its glory. I cried then, I still tear up now, and I am so grateful for this precious moment with my son.
