Disney films recount numerous love stories – Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, just to name a few.

Rightly so, these stories and many others are well represented in the attractions and theming of the parks. The adventures and the “happily ever after” feel of the parks are a big part of the draw.

When we think of Disney love stories and their representation in the parks, these may come to mind:

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“now’s your moment…”

But the scene in the photo below is a little more obscure. Some of you will recognize this scene from the miniature train model near the Germany pavilion at EPCOT. A lot of people just walk right on by, and I have to admit I was one of them until a few years ago. I thought it was pretty neat how the Imagineers set up different scenes, knowing many may get little or no notice from park guests. For those who do stop, they’ll probably take in the trains, or the whole model, and after snapping a photo or two, keep on around World Showcase. I can’t fault anyone for that, given how compartmentalized our time usually is on those trips. But discovering the subtle details sometimes makes more of an impression than the big ticket attractions.

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it’s up to us to imagine the rest of this Disney love story

This scene shows a newly wed couple emerging from the church, and it looks like a celebration of the married couple’s life together will follow. Unlike other attractions or scenes at Walt Disney World, we’re left to imagine the rest of the story for ourselves. What happened to this happy couple? Hopefully, the story includes “happily ever after”, even if every day after isn’t perfect. I like to think the husband and wife were good, dedicated spouses. Since the story line is up to us, each story will be unique.

The picture makes me think of how in many ways we write the stories of our own lives – and how some of the outcome is by design, like imagining our career path or where we want to live. I also think of how some things are beyond our control, some good, some not so much. We all encounter adversity, but hopefully we have support to help us make it through.

The picture makes me think of my wife, my Valentine, and the day we walked out of the church. If someone had taken a high altitude shot of the scene, in some ways it would have resembled the model. We’re writing our story, and although it’s not as glamorous as a Disney movie, it’s never dull, and filled with more joy and happy memories than I could have known. For those of you who are fans of It’s a Wonderful Life, moments like these are what I call “George Bailey” moments, where we realize it’s the cumulative affect of the everyday part of life influences the overall route our lives and those of so many others.

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When I was young, I wanted to be Luke Skywalker. now I hope to be remembered as a George Bailey

I hope your life story, however you’re authoring it, and whatever the outcome, results in a “happily ever after” ending.

Have a great Valentine’s Day.

What do you think?

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