When I received word Thursday evening that I would have the opportunity to interview John Lasseter this morning, I could hardly believe it. I was rushing around packing for a weekend out of town with the kids so that they could stay with my parents while I attend the D23 Expo. My house is under major construction right now and while we are living in less than half of our house, it is very, very hard to find things. When I got the email, I rushed around making sure I had everything I needed, the right clothes and such… not really thinking about the interview itself… just knowing that I needed to prepare.

During my tenure publishing Babes In Disneyland and time when I was a Disneyland tour guide, I have had the esteemed opportunity to meet, chat with and interview some really incredible people–including Disney Legends like Cicely Rigdon, Bob Gurr, Robin Williams and Richard Sherman to name a few. I have been blessed to have met folks who have not only made a huge contribution to the world of Disney, but who have shaped the lives of countless people around the world. I especially felt this to be true with Richard Sherman–the man responsibility for much of childhood’s soundtrack–and the man I met today, John Lasseter.

As a mother of three boys, Toy Story, Cars and all of the other movies in the Disney•Pixar library have become the characters of their childhood. Buzz, McQueen, Nemo and the rest of the Pixar gang are more than just movie characters; they are members of our family. They have helped shape how my boys look at and play with their toys and how to relate to one another. I’m writing this post at midnight–after waking up this morning at 4a.m., which means I’m exhausted and probably not conveying everything I would like to about how honored I am to have been able to meet John Lasseter today and thank him for being an important part of my family’s life.

At any rate, I really hope that all of you enjoy this interview. It was a thrill and honor to shoot, and about an hour afterward, while I sat alone in the Hilton lobby with my bagel and coffee, I may or may not have cried a little, tiny bit about the enormity of the day and the excitement of meeting who has played such an important role in the lives and imaginations of countless children around the world.