Do I talk enough about how great my husband is? I don’t think I do.
Let me take you back. Back to the early days of my engagement to Mr. B. He was meeting my family for the first time, and somehow the topic of Disney World came up. Mr. B demurred, “I’ve never been.” To which my disbelieving mother proclaimed, “Oh, but that’s Kristen’s favorite place!” And I’ll never forget the smile on his face when he said, “And I can’t wait to go with her.”
His first trip to the most magical place on Earth was also our first Disney trip as a family. The Glass Slipper was eight months. We went back a year after that. Then we took a break to have the Frying Pan. Then we did our first trip as a family of four, when the Frying Pan was 11 months and the Glass Slipper was approaching three. And then a funny thing happened. We had just moved across the country and we were planning our next Disney trip for two years out. As the people we took to Disney multiplied, so did the cost. Every two years seemed like a doable approach for our family’s financials.
Then our house sold for way, way more than we anticipated. Like, asking and beyond. After checking in on our emergency fund, putting some aside for our next house, and all the other things you do, we had a bit of ‘fun’ money left over. It was Mr. B who shocked me by saying, ‘what if we went to Disney now?”
As I had hoped, back when we were on the verge of getting hitched, he had fallen in love with Disney World. But not in the way I thought. When I asked him if that meant we should cancel our trip two years out, he shook his head. “Nope. We go this year and we go next year.” The shock must shave been evident on my face. “It’s just a great place for our family. I love seeing you there. I love seeing the girls there. I love seeing you with the girls there. I love getting to be there with you.”
And then my heart melted and I collapsed into a love puddle on the floor.
Longtime readers will remember when we were at 180 days for that second trip, we found out we were pregnant with the Teacup. Our first trip as a family of five, and the Teacup was a stowaway the whole time. That was August of 2018. I went on a Girls’ Trip with a friend in September 2019, and our next family trip was on the books for 2020.
We all know how that turned out.
So here we are, planning for Summer 2021 and, frankly, I am a mess. Between uncertainty about hotels, and park days, and crowds, and will there be character meals, will there be FastPass, will the Teacup wear a mask, will there be parades, will we have fun, I don’t actually get to any of the fun parts of planning.
And then my husband, my amazing, loving, prince of a husband, comes up to me one day when I am messaging with the world’s most patient travel agent, Elizabeth Mallers. He puts $400 cash on the desk and says, “So, I’ve been thinking about the Disney trip. I say we still shoot for a Deluxe, but you’re probably right. The Teacup won’t be able to keep her mask on. So maybe we move it to 2022. But we don’t do anything until we hear more about what the situations in the park will be. I’m proposing we don’t do any planning or worrying about it until after the holidays.”
I looked at the stash of cash. “Is this a bribe?”
“Oh no. I found some old audio gear when I was up in the attic last week. I sold it. Put this towards the Disney Fund.”
What a dream of a man.
2021 Family Trip
Goal: $8000
After Last Deposit: $5532.57
Total Deposit: $475
$400, Sold Audio Equipment
$75, Amazon Giftcard from Beta App Testing
Still Need: $5057.57
Does your spouse love Disney? Who loved Disney first? Do you do any coupley Disney things? Tell me about your love of Disney and your Disney love in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!