I am so happy kids today are growing up with Moana, Vivo, Encanto, Frozen and Red Panda. It’s incredible to see so many stories about diverse female heroes saving the day and unconcerned about finding a prince. I’m glad my niece is exposed to these stories.

Honestly I’ve cried at times watching these films because I needed these stories. These heroes. These SHE-roes. And I relate to their struggles in so many ways. The unbelief. The grief. The unknown.

Let it go?! Letting go of expectation and perfection?! Elsa, SAME. SAME. You do you, girl. I think my life’s work will be unlearning the White Supremacy Patriarchy Perfectionism crap that American capitalistic culture teaches young girls. It’s a daily letting go to learn what works for me versus what society wants and what profits others.

The family storylines in these flicks hit home. Moana’s grandmother believed in her and knew Moana better than she knew herself. My Grandmother meant the world to me growing up. I remember spending lots of time with her alone when my sisters and parents visited colleges. We’d watch movies, go to the grocery store, talk and eat pizza. We called each other roomies since I shared a room with her when we visited. My Grandmother was fierce like Moana’s grandmother. You didn’t mess with Virginia. She was a loyal neighbor and Sunday school teacher. To this day, people at church remember my Grandmother and the lapel pins she wore teaching little ones.

My Mom is a fierce woman, too, and definitely has been my source of strength and belief when I didn’t believe in myself. Same with my Dad. From my Mom’s lunch notes in high school to my Dad’s text messages, they’ve always been in my corner. One of my favorite memories is my Dad coaching me on buying a lease car. The man loved to negotiate. I followed his lead and walked away with a great deal on my first car of my own. I started the day in tears driving to the dealership, a total ball of nerves. Ended the day driving home on the phone with my Dad, in unbelief that we had done it together. And frankly, completely relieved it was over.

Gotta talk about Maribel and the Encanto family. I cannot get enough. I relate to Maribel and wanting to find my purpose, and my place in it all. And Luisa, and her Surface Pressure song. Get out of my head, Luisa! I feel that pressure to get it all done and do for others while sacrificing my own peace sometimes. (Hi, people-pleaser here, working to set boundaries for the first time ever.)

I love Isabella’s song, too. When she was honest with herself about what she wanted, she had more fun and created a life of her own. A life full of colors!

Did Encanto songs make my top picks of 2021? Yes, yes they did. The entire Encanto album also ended up in my 2022 Replay because I keep it on repeat.

You’ve got to watch the Encanto concert Live at the Hollywood Bowl on Disney Plus. Whoa, just whoa! The original cast sang live for the first time all together and it was incredible. The performances, their voices, the dancing, the costumes, and honestly, I love the audience shots of people of all ages losing their minds with joy. There is nothing better than live music and the shared experience of enjoying art together.