If you are a living human being, there's a good chance you've heard about Disney at some point. If you're like me, you grew up on it. You watched all the movies over and over (and over and over and over), and there were probably a few songs that you knew all the words to. I know I did (I think my parents lost track of how many times I watched The Little Mermaid). The first movie I ever saw in a theater was a Disney movie (Tarzan). I saw all the movies, I listened to the soundtracks, and I wanted to be a Disney princess.

But over time, I was told I shouldn't love Disney as much as I do. The older I got, the less my classmates or my friends wanted to talk about their favorite movies, their favorite songs, their favorite princesses. Singing along to the songs was no considered weird. Getting excited about a new Disney movie became something to do in private. Sure, some of my friends still liked Disney, and would occasionally do sing-alongs and go to the movies with me. But it wasn't quite the same.

I never understood why. What was it about Disney that made people assume it was all just for little kids? What was it about Disney that made some of the kids in band groan when our director told us we'd be going to Disney World? Why did growing older mean that we couldn't enjoy it anymore?

I still haven't found an answer. I just turned 20, and I still love Disney. I really do. I am extremely, unapologetically excited about it. I still sing along to the songs when they're on. I still have a favorite Disney princess. Going back to Disney World is still on my list of things I need to do. Why should that be weird?

I think there's something about the fact that Disney is mainly targeted toward children that makes people think it is childish. There's something about children's literature and movies that makes people think it has an age limit. Imaginary "Must be under 10 years to enjoy this show" signs seem to be posted all over this type of media. The same thing happens with books like Harry Potter. Because it was originally made so children could enjoy them, they must be only for children.

But you know what? That's simply not true. There is nothing about children's literature or movies that means adults can't enjoy it as well. Hell, there are some creators who intentionally put in content that adults will also enjoy. They understand that adults will, at the very least, be watching this with their children, so they try to make their stories interesting for all age groups. And that's fantastic.

And I think Disney is one of the companies that does this. The writers at Disney and Pixar understand that adults can enjoy this stuff, too, and make interesting, fun stories for everyone to enjoy. They make stories that occasionally deal with some seriously intense stuff. If you've ever really watched a Disney/Pixar movie, you know that, behind the catchy songs and the bright colors, some dark shit can go down (some of the movies that jump to mind are Hunchback of Notre Dame, Finding Nemo, Mulan, Tarzan, Bambi, Pinnochio...the list just goes on). It's just presented in a way that children can handle and grasp easily.

And I love that. I completely love it! Dealing with complicated issues in an easily understandable way that teaches kids things like kindness, self-expression, and friendship? Add on to that stories that adults can also enjoy? And songs that last the test of time? Hell yeah! I'm all over that! I live for that kind of stuff!

It brings magic into people's lives, and it can even bring some light and happiness into a world shrouded in heavy darkness. How can there be an age limit on that?

So I love Disney. I always have, and I always will. I will be that adult crying in the theater at Finding Dory. I will be that guy cheering at the start of Moana. I'll scream in delight at the thought of going to Disney World. I will love it unapologetically because it brings happiness into my life when sometimes I can't find any. It brings a smile to my face when I'm feeling down. It's that simple. Why should I feel ashamed of that?