✨Well, we have gone VIRAL!🤩
I don't even know where to start this. This last week(s) has been wild and I am overwhelmed in the best way.
I can't tell you how many times I have said the phrase, "this is crazy!" or "what a wild ride," or "wow! This is just bananas!"
Let me explain. A few weeks ago, our family, along with our best friends (and their 5 kiddos and one set of grandparents... that's 14 people, just so you know), ventured to Disneyland! We had the best time and my best friend, Julianna's youngest daughter, "L" was just DYING to meet Anna and Elsa and my only real request for this trip was to be there when that happened.
I was in line at Starbucks with our oldest son Zeke because coffee is life, and Titus (my middle child) came BUSTING in and said, "L is walking with Anna!" I yelled my order to Zeke and ran out the door.
Anna and L were having the sweetest conversation that ended in a precious hug and the cutest picture. Zoe was next in line.
I need to pause here and tell you that Jesse and Zoe (my husband and youngest child) LOVE meeting characters. They are both game to stand in line and chat with Goofy, Minnie, Woody whomever to chat or dance or ask Tiana for her secret beignet recipe!
So they are READY to meet Queen Anna! Zoe steps up and signs, "hello." Anna noticed immediately that Zoe was deaf and looked to Jesse and I and asked, "can i sign?" My response was, "Of Course!" thinking she knew how to sign "Nice to meet you" or her sign name. Queen Anna started having a full ASL (american sign language) conversation with Zoe.
In these interactions, Jesse and I will take turns. One is interpreting the other operating the camera. In this situation, I just held my camera and sobbed. We were all floored.
Zoe looked back at me and said, "WOW!" They took a picture together, and that was that.
After a few moments, I could gather myself, and when Queen Anna was heading off to find Christoff, I ran up to her to thank her for this moment. I told her Zoe felt seen, that we were all so moved and beyond thankful for her ability to speak to our girl in her language. It was a thank you that felt like it was not enough, yet all I could give!
That afternoon I posted the picture Zoe and Queen Anna took and thought about sharing the video later on!
And then we went on to enjoy our Disneyland trip. We played, laughed, ate some yummy food, and made memories with some of our favorite people. It was one of my favorite trips!
A week after we returned, I posted Zoe's interaction with Queen Anna on my Instagram and then on my Tik Tok.
✨We have now gone viral!✨
When I shared the video on tik tok, I had 28 followers, and now I have like 3,800. On TT, the video has been seen over 2.1 million times; on IG, it is at 7.6 million.
💛YALL WHAT IN THE ACTUAL WORLD!!!🤩
This is where I say yet again. THIS IS BANANAS!! SO SO CRAZY and SO SO FUN!
It has been a delightful viral experience, with only a few mean comments, but nothing can kill my joy here!
I only tell you the whole story because we are friends, and I feel it needs to be told.
What if, for a second today, we saw someone and went out of our way to love on them? To smile or buy their coffee. What if a kind word about their shoes was just what they needed? Or that soft, knowing smile to a stressed-out mom at a target made her feel seen.
Take some time today to slow down.
SEE THOSE AROUND YOU!
It is life-changing for us and others.
I have SO much more to tell you. Regarding this viral video, we are in talks with GMA, ABC, and CBS News. I have talked with the Disney Parks social media team and allowed them to share our video. Am I waiting and hoping for free park tickets...YESSSS, but I won't hold my breath!
