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Posted November 5, 2008 by Charlene Frias

Do you remember making your very first best friends as a child? The very friends who became your first bike-riding buddies; who shared in scraped knees with you; and who feasted on breakfasts of Mickey Mouse pancakes with blueberry syrup after a long night’s sleepover? You know, the same friends that helped you dress up just so for middle school dances, in Gunne Sax dresses with feathered hair (boy, did I just date myself!). 

Shortly after moving into a new community, Dalia entered preschool. Within a week, Ruben and I were introduced to Dalia’s new friends affectionately dubbed "The Little Princesses." There were five girls (one being Katie), each 4 years old. Dalia would make six. 

The friendships were instant. I quickly realized where the name "Princesses" derived, aside from the obvious adorableness of the little girls. It was their bond, their flourishing personalities, and of course, their love for dress-up!

An Invitation to Katie’s Princess Party

One Saturday, a party invitation arrived from Katie’s dad. Ruben read it aloud to Dalia: 

"Please join us for Katie’s Princess Party next Sunday at 4 p.m. This will likely involve biking, scootering, the wading pool, and splash ball. Oh, yeah, and I'm sure our little princesses will make appearances in princess costumes too."

"Why Daddy, is it Katie’s birthday?" Dalia asked.

"No honey, Katie is having her friends over for a Princess Party."

"That’s cool Daddy!"

I don’t think I’d ever heard her utter the word "cool" before, but I completely understood. That is cool, I thought. 

Party Time

I was awakened from a blissful sleep the next Sunday morning by two little fingers peeling my eyelids open and a whisper in my ear.

"Mommy, wake up!" A flash of daylight revealed Dalia propped up on my bed in her Ariel nightgown.

"What is it, sweetie?" I crackled.

"It’s party day, Mommy!"

Dalia scooted around the house, hemming and hawing over which dress to wear while piling up shoe after shoe. Belle? Cinderella? Snow White? So many choices. What a predicament!

As we headed out the door, Dalia dragged her dresses across the floor.

"Mommy, can I bring them all?" 

"What? I thought the girls were bringing one each," I replied.

"But Mommmm!"

We stuffed four dresses into the trunk with eight fancy shoes, and the argument ended there. A grin swept over Dalia’s face as we putted across town to Katie’s house.

Upon arrival, a school of little princesses filled Katie’s bedroom, providing a priceless glimpse into the world of fairytales. The magic of make-believe was in full swing, with Ariel spinning across the room, girls chatting, and Belle in all her golden glory dancing with a young prince.

I vaguely recall from the corner of my eye seeing a 2-year-old baby brother dash across the room in a Tinker Bell costume. What fun would it be if the boys couldn’t join in, too?

Giggles were intermixed with the bright idea for a snack break. At once, 12 dainty fingers swept across the buffet, each grabbing a princess cupcake and chocolate brownie. 

I caught a glance at Dalia’s delightfully pink cheeks as she pleaded with Dad, "Another otter pop, please." Can anyone say sugar rush?

It’s a Wrap

By 8 p.m., we headed home with a weary-eyed, smiling princess in tow.  Five minutes into the car ride home, I was nestled in a deep slumber (oh, I mean Dalia!).

The irony is, I don’t think Katie ever made it into a costume that day. The glittery gowns were just the icing on the cake to a day brought together by the commonality of friends, and a special little princess named Katie.