The Magic Started Long Before I Ever Put on a Princess Dress

People often ask me how I ended up running a princess company.

The funny answer is that it probably started decades before I ever performed at my first birthday party.

My dad is a minister, but he's also one of the greatest storytellers I've ever known. Bedtime stories weren't just stories—they were adventures. Every character had a different voice. Every game became an epic quest. Looking back, I realize he was teaching us improvisation long before I knew what improvisation even was.

My mom is an incredible musician. Our home was filled with singing, instruments, and music that wasn't reserved for performances—it was simply part of everyday life.

Our house was full of whimsy.

Looking back as an adult, I realize they gave me something priceless: permission to imagine.

Today, I see that same spark in the children we meet every weekend.

When a little girl asks Cinderella whether mice can really sew dresses...

When a Spider Hero kneels down to encourage a shy little boy...

When a princess remembers a child's favorite color because their parent mentioned it beforehand...

Those aren't just cute moments. They're moments that tell a child, "Your imagination matters."

Childhood passes quickly. The toys get donated. The costumes stop fitting. Eventually, children become teenagers who worry about grades, jobs, and adulthood.

But the feeling of being seen, encouraged, and invited into a world where anything seems possible? That stays with us.

I know it stayed with me.

CT Princess Parties has never been about wigs, gowns, or pretending to be royalty. Those are simply the tools.

What we're really creating is the same kind of wonder that my parents created for me—a place where imagination is welcomed, celebrated, and taken seriously.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can give a child isn't another toy.

It's permission to believe in magic for just a little while longer.

The two people who first taught me that stories, music, and imagination could change a child's world.

Written by Holly McNerney

Holly McNerney is the Operations, Booking & Casting Manager for CT Princess Parties. She oversees client bookings, performer casting, and creative development, ensuring every event feels personal, memorable, and truly magical. Holly believes that children's entertainment is at its best when every child feels seen, celebrated, and invited into the story.