Disclaimer: I was invited to a complimentary media screening of Toy Story 4.

Wednesday evening, Nate and I met up with friends to see a screening of Toy Story 4. As I looked around, I realized I was sitting with bloggers and media who started this blogging journey with me. We’ve cheered as each other published books and attended Red Carpet events, we’ve celebrated births and high school graduations, and we kept each other company at Disney Social Media Moms conferences realizing that this ‘career’ we have is hard work but so surreal.

I was overwhelmed with nostalgia thinking of Riley wearing his Woody costume for days on end and sleeping with Woody until his string fell off. I remember my mom writing Riley’s name on the bottom of Woody’s boot.

I remember watching the first Toy Story with the kids over and over until we had every line memorized. I remember telling the kids that Randy Newman had written the music and that Randy was Grandpa Eschbach’s song writer.

I loved the movie. Loved. It was such a wonderful combination of a trip down memory lane and embracing the change that comes with waking up every morning to a new day.

There was a perfect mix of old characters and new characters (can you say Keanu Reeves?!) There were old punch lines and new jokes for the kids to laugh at.

The feeling that there are certain toys that you absolutely cannot live without is urgently genuine.

Thank you, Disney, for creating a sweet journey of friendship, purpose, and loyalty.

Will I take the other kids to see it?

Julia (19) – Of course. She is my Disney partner through and through.

Riley (8) – Absolutely. I will warn him about a few of the toys that jump out and try and scare other toys.

Mary Alice (4) and Sebastian (2) – No. I think the toys that jump out would scare them in the theater, but I can’t wait to see it on DVD with them!

I hope you see it! Let me know what you think!