Storytime...

...just because everyone needs a good princess story now and then.

Hello, my name is Vanessa, and I used to be a professional princess. That's right. I worked for Magic Princess, a delightful company that truly does bring joy and all good things to parties.

In my time as a princess, I accumulated many stories that I pull out of my back pocket every now and then. What better time than right now to share them with you! (Princesses like to use exclamation marks, a lot. I will try to keep it to a minimum).

Here are a few of my favorite stories/images:

Pumping gas into my carriage at the local station as Cinderella!

Reluctantly asking for the apple side dish to my meal at a local restaurant after Snow White gig!

Sunny afternoon, 4 yr old, laying on the grass next to me, asks, "Tinkerbell, where do you shower?" The following conversation: 

Tink: "Why, first I fly down behind the oak tree, turn right at the berry bush, jump over the rainbow, and that lands me in the waterfall where I shower"
Boy: "Geez, that's a long way away."
Tink: "Not when you have wings and know magic. Where do you shower?"
Boy: "In my bathroom, of course."
Tink: "Wait a minute, you are telling me that you have a whole room just for taking a shower?! You must be rich, like a King."
Boy: "Yeah, well, I really am."
HA HA

***
It was also pretty amazing to see the differences in culture, family behavior/dynamics, food choices, and economic landscape. I traveled across the Bay Area to parks, houses, churches, community centers. Whether parents were laidback or stressed out, there were 2 people at the party or 50, rich or not so - the greeting/yelling was the same "THE PRINCESS IS HERE!!!!!!!"

And that was from the parents.

I've never felt more popular in my entire life. Cameras flashed. Videos rolled. Kids screamed. Everyone gathered around my feet. No matter how old you are, and even if it's not your birthday - people want to believe in magic. Well, except teenagers. They generally avoided me. Can't take it personally though, it's a developmental stage, right? It also used to freak my cats out whenever I put on a wig and a fluffy ballroom gown.

I never knew that I liked such girly things like tiaras and pink sparkly shoes and LOADS of makeup, until I became a princess. My favorite companions became the puppets I worked with, the magic tricks I performed, and making adults dance to disney music. Plus I loved when people waved at me while I was driving. Which brings me to another funny story.

Once upon a time, I was driving up 880 North (a 5 lane in each direction freeway) in rush hour traffic. I'm in full on princess gear - the little mermaid or something - and I see my chiropractor driving next to me. It was completely random because we were about an hour from where we lived. It was even stranger to discover that we had the same model/make of car.

I start honking and waving. She looked so confused as she hesitantly waved back. I was tempted to tear off the wig and yell, "It's me, it's me," but I thought that might seem a little freaky since she already had no idea who I was. Luckily we were only going about 5 mph so I was able to roll down the window, and say "Elizabeth, it's Vanessa. I'm a princess." It was such a funny scene that we both start hysterically laughing. Ah, those were the days.

Alright, I bow, set down my tiara for now, and bid adieu.

Princess Vanessa

Comments

[GeekMommy]

Like being a rockstar!!

But you know, I totally understand the awesomeness of feeling that way. I only get it in spurts - like being the mom who brings cool things to class like cupcakes or whatnot - but it can really make your day to know that you made someone else's day! :)

I have friends who have worked in various capacities for Disney - the ones who loved it the best are the characters/princesses - because despite the heavy costumes and crowds, they see that sparkle in the eyes of children young and old.

You totally rock and this was fun to read. You know, there's a lesson to be had in knowing how much people want to have magic in their lives! :)

Great post!

[Average Jane]

What an awesome story!

[Anna]

Sounds like a bunch of fun! Thanks for sharing your funny stories, especially the one about the boy asking you where Tinkerbell showers. What a hoot!

I would become a princess just so that I could wear the pink sparkly shoes :)

[Tarra Christoff]

Very funny! What a great piece of writing.

[Tia]

I love the experiences you've had Princess Coach! Love magic, fairytales, sparkles and kids and you took me right to that magic place with this post. Now how do I tie in my love of all this as part of my coaching career!? Having Sparkles in my name already qualifies me as a princess woohoo! ;)

[Kelly King Anderson]

that is so fun ;) thx for sharing how you've been able to participate in some magical moments, it's people like you who keep childhood alive.

[Christy]

I love this story! I cracked up reading the Snow White and apple line.

Dressing up like a princess sounds a little like what happens when you dress up like a bride - I kind of felt like a princess on my wedding day, especially when we were taking pictures outside.