Toy Story Through the Years

"Ride Like the Wind Bulls Eye!"

On Sunday, Ken and I took the family (Eric 7, Emily 4, Beth 2) to see "Toy Story 3". It was a bitter sweet film for me. You may recall that Woody moved out of our house just a few months ago. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel seeing him on the big screen again. But for the sake of the kids, I sucked it up and went.

In the final moments of the film, as Andy hugged his Mom and left for college, I reached up and brushed a tear off my cheek. A few seats away, I heard a sniffle. I looked over and saw Ken wiping his eyes as well.

Flash back time. The year is November of 1995. Ken and I had been married a little over a year. One night we decided to go out to the movies. Our choices were "Father of Bride II" starring Steve Martin or "Toy Story", a new Disney movie featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Even though children where not in our plans yet, Ken and I opted for the animated feature.

Animated movies were something Ken and I did a lot back then. We saw "The Rescuers Down Under", "The Little Mermaid" (the re-release in 1997), "Beauty and the Beast", and "Muppets Treasure Island" in the theaters together. I guess we were always kids at heart.

Our family rediscovered "Toy Story" in 2005 when Eric was 3. That's when we received the 2 disk set (TS1 and 2) as a gift. Eric, Ken and I would sit on the floor in the family room reciting the lines together. Later, when I put Eric to bed, he would insist I tell a story in which Woody, Buzz, Cowgirl Jessie, Andy and Eric were the main characters.

Now, fifteen years after the launch of TS1, it was a real treat to be at the theater sharing a favorite family saga. Emily sat on my lap. Beth, always independent, bounced on her own seat stuffing her mouth with popcorn. Eric sat between Ken and I with his eyes glued to the big screen.

Before I knew it, the movie was over and the theater lights were up. Patrons and families gathered up their belongings and filed out of the room.

I sighed. Was it really over? Did Andy really grow up? Did he really leave for college? Even though fifteen years had passed, I still wasn't ready to move on. Until suddenly, I had an idea. Maybe, I told myself, there would be Toy Story 4.

Yea. That's the ticket. Another chance for the gang to get together. I smiled and wondered, if there was a TS 4, who would be watching it with us.