The ending is ambiguous though; a departure from the typical happily ever after for which Disney is known. And as a kid with a deep love and appreciation for my marvelous nannies, I was always disappointed with the film's finale. How could she just leave them? Who would fill her lavender shoes? And what about poor Bert?
Yesterday, I witnessed an alternate ending to the film; one that provided a more romantic rationale for Mary Poppins' abrupt departure; one that secured a return date in the minds of the children who love her so much; and one where Bert finally seals the deal.
As it went, Mary Poppins did drift off to cloud nine, but her feet stayed firmly on the ground while a hula hoop circled her waist.
She ended up marrying Bert. And on their special day, he traded in his chimney sweep ensemble for a camouflage tuxedo. Black and white was for the penguins.
There were many, many spoonfuls of sugar ...
... scoops of ice cream, bites of cookies, and forkfuls of velvety chocolate layer cake.
Bert left his one man band at home and let the Mariachis carry the beat ...
... while everyone stepped and shuffled in time.
Butterflies were naturally drawn to the occasion,
and the food, oh the food(!), was far better than anything a pack of penguins would have ultimately served.
But despite my reassurance, I could tell, knowing Disney's ending, Mary was a little unsure as Eva and Cavan rode off from the ceremony in their Just Married branded golf cart following the ceremony.
'Where's Eva going, Mommy? Where's Eva going?' Mary asked me over and over again.
'She's just going on a little ride with Cavan. She'll be back to dance, and to cut the cake, and to celebrate.'
'Where's Eva going, Mommy?' 'I want Eva, Mommy.'
I could see the tears start to well up in her eyes. She understood the end of her favorite movies and the conclusion of Mary Poppins for that matter, in her little mind she was starting to consider that Eva's happily ever after might not include Mary.
She'll be back, honey. Don't worry.
A couple minutes later, Mary spotted Eva on the dance floor and ran over to give her a hug. Feeling her embrace, her worries subsided. And the rest of the night, she ate Tacos Pastor, dressed up in the photo booth, explored the lush gardenscape, hula hooped, and dashed between her heaping bowl of ice cream and the dance floor.
'Where's Eva going, Mommy? Where's Eva going?' Mary asked me over and over again.
'She's just going on a little ride with Cavan. She'll be back to dance, and to cut the cake, and to celebrate.'
'Where's Eva going, Mommy?' 'I want Eva, Mommy.'
I could see the tears start to well up in her eyes. She understood the end of her favorite movies and the conclusion of Mary Poppins for that matter, in her little mind she was starting to consider that Eva's happily ever after might not include Mary.
She'll be back, honey. Don't worry.
A couple minutes later, Mary spotted Eva on the dance floor and ran over to give her a hug. Feeling her embrace, her worries subsided. And the rest of the night, she ate Tacos Pastor, dressed up in the photo booth, explored the lush gardenscape, hula hooped, and dashed between her heaping bowl of ice cream and the dance floor.
Eva, we love you so much and are so happy that you found your Bert. The kind of partner you can share your life, love, laughter, kitchen, dance floor, hula hoop, Harry Potter books, Star Wars episodes, and tie dye patterns with. And thank you for inviting us to share such a magical day with you.
(And SNAP!) The rest of the pictures follow.
Lo.
