The Royal Family

In honor of being officially one year older, I thought I might give you a glimpse of the Royal Family this Princess came from.

As I am sure you are aware, Princesses are very special people and have been raised by people even more special. This princess’s family can certainly qualify as “special” in more ways than one and are certainly not your garden variety royalty. Life in their far off magical kingdom is… unconventional. Yes, we’ll go with “unconventional.” Some might even say “weird,” but, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

I was brought up in a family with unconventional values. Those qualities that are not normally encouraged in well behaved and rational children were instead cultivated and nurtured. The royal family placed high value on independent thinking, vivid imaginations, and creativity.

Many afternoon car rides and kitchen table conversations from my childhood were spent playing “What if…” or weaving tales from unlikely perspectives. Sunday afternoons were filled with grand adventures without leaving the backyard. Conversations spanning generations (and sometimes species via dramatic interpretation) creating new and amazing ways to see life and discovering ways to turn the world on its head, at least in theory. All the while, knowing I was loved regardless of the success or failure of any of the crazy ideas I had, just so long as I tried.

Life from this perspective can only be an adventure. Each day is an opportunity to find wonder and excitement. Every conversation has the potential to create and to laugh. Every person met is another chance to change the world as we know it.

The chance to truly live… that is the best birthday present any Princess can be given!