All About Ally

Now, I tell you about how I’ve seen every episode of The Simpsons, or my ever-growing sneaker collection—but I’d rather share a story.

Last week, I was in my childhood bedroom and found a notebook I hadn’t seen in almost a decade—my Walt Disney World travel journal. As I flipped through the pages, one entry caught my eye.

It’s Spring Break, I’m 12 years old.

My family and I had gotten up bright and early to stand in line for the newly-opened Frozen Ever After ride, only for the intercom to announce a temporary closure after what felt like an eternity of waiting. Groans filled the room, but not from me.

This was my chance to write.

My eyes darted around the space, my pen scribbling furiously in that journal. About the fake snow on the rooftops, the maypole centerpiece, even the Norwegian folk song playing in the background (thank you, Shazam). Each detail, small on its own, worked harmoniously to transport people to a fictional world that felt so real.

That moment stuck with me. From a young age, I saw how the power of a well-crafted, cohesive story connects people who have never met. As an adult, I now see how that connection holds the power to bridge gaps, whether between cultures, ideas, and even generations. And if it’s a truly great story… people might even remember it a decade later.