Page 18 of Love is a Roller Coaster

“Amen,” says the security guard, eliciting a giggle from Brooke.

We make it through the metal detectors and through the line to scan our tickets. Once we exit the turnstiles, we’re immediately greeted by the sight of princess Ariel in her green dress, taking pictures with kids.

Brooke’s eyes fill with delight. “Look, it’s Ariel!” she whispers, as if she’s a real celebrity.

“Do you want to take a picture with her?” I ask.

“No, no.” She waves her hand at me. “That’s for kids.”

“Brooke.” I take hold of her shoulders, turning her to face me. “Today is for you. I want you to do whatever will make you happy. Don’t worry about how it looks or what other people think. What doyouwant to do?”

She studies my face for a moment, then bites her bottom lip. “I think…” She exhales. “I think I want to take a picture with Ariel.”

I grin widely. “Then let’s go take a picture with Ariel.”

chapter nine

BROOKE

Not only doesTyler have me take a picture with Ariel, but he also buys the PhotoPass upgrade so we can take pictures around the park all day with the professional photographers and have them added to our online account. After taking the pictures, we follow the crowds to wait for the rope drop.

The pictures on the website didn’t prepare me for the enchantment of Main Street. I can’t stop staring in the windows of the stores, already preparing for candy and ice cream later. Once we’re through Main Street, we walk a little more until we’re waiting with the crowd by the statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse holding hands. Each of the different “lands” split off in different directions, like the spokes of a wheel.

“The plan is to ride Peter Pan first, right?” Tyler asks.

I nod. “Is that still a good idea?”

“Definitely. Especially since the families heading there will have to park their strollers first. And later in the day, it’s always the longest line of the kids’ rides. We got this.”

I nod again, feeling the stirring of excitement and nerves fluttering my stomach. Why am I nervous? I’m a grown woman at the happiest place on earth. But it’s good nerves. I haven’t felt this alive in a while.

Out of nowhere, I feel Tyler grasp my hand firmly in his. I look up at him, and he grins and squeezes my hand even tighter. “Excited?” he asks.

I nod and bounce on my toes.

He opens his mouth to say something, but the crowd presses forward. The rope has dropped, and it’s time to rush off to our first ride.

“Hang on!” Tyler says, stepping in front of me and leading the way while still holding my hand. I laugh out loud and run with him, trying to take in Sleeping Beauty’s castle as we rush up the bridge and through the castle itself.

The Peter Pan ride is just off to the right, and Tyler was right—we made it before most of the parents who have to park their strollers. There are about twenty people ahead of us, meaning we’ll hopefully have our turn in just a few minutes. Now that we’re in line, I can relax and enjoy my surroundings. Each of the rides looks like a little cottage. Across the way is Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, which Tyler said used to be way scarier, but they changed it for the kids. There’s also Pinocchio’s Daring Journey next to Snow White. In the center of Fantasyland is King Arthur’s Carousel, playing music from different classic Disney movies, and in front of it is a sword sticking out of a stone. The whole atmosphere is, in a word, enchanting.

I glance over at Tyler, who’s observing me with a small smile.

“What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I love watching you. You seem so happy.”

My cheeks flush, and I look down at my incredible shoes to avoid his gaze. “I am happy.”

“Perfect.” He pulls me into a side hug, quickly squeezing me before we have to take a few steps forward in the line.

A few minutes later, we climb into our pirate ship and pull the safety bar down across our laps. Tyler casually rests his arm over my shoulders, and I lean into him for my first Disneyland rideever.

It’s just as magical as I had hoped for.

Instead of moving on a track below, the ship is held up top, so it feels like we’re flying. We start in Wendy, John, and Michael’s room, then over the city lights of London, then to Neverland. The music swells around us, filling my soul. I laugh when Captain Hook is stuck between the crocodile’s mouth, and the ride ends with the mermaids.

I sigh as we emerge back at the entrance of the ride. The safety bar pops up, and I step out of the ride, then wait for Tyler to follow.

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