Jeremy and I went to listen to the Wichita Symphony Orchestra last Saturday night. For one, we were pumped at the opportunity to get out and do something a little different for date night. We are both musicians so getting to hear live instrumental music always gets us a little giddy.

These tickets in particular were to The Wizard of Oz: A symphonic Night at the Movies. The symphony was going to play the music track for the movie from start to finish while the movie was playing. How cool is that?? The Wizard of Oz has always been a family favorite and it had been years since I’d seen it. I honestly couldn’t wait!

The evening turned out to be so fun! I’d forgotten just how cute, funny and inspirational the movie was. If we hadn’t been in a concert hall, I would have been inclined to get up and sing along. You can’t beat a classic like Somewhere Over the Rainbow. 

To top it all off, the Symphony did an outstanding job. I was so entranced at times that I honestly had forgotten the music was live. The crowd rose to their feet to give a much deserved standing ovation at the end. I sincerely hope they plan this again for next year!

I love going back to visit things from your youth and seeing them in a whole new way. There were some really valuable things I took away from it this time:

  1. Sometimes you just need a good friend by your side. Dorothy and her friends couldn’t have made it all the way to Emerald City to find the wizard without the help and strengths of each of them. When they individually felt scared or like they didn’t have enough brains, heart, or courage, they leaned on each other. And in the end they found those traits within themselves because they were there for each other. Find some true friends and stick by them. And don’t forget, they might come from the most unlikely of places so don’t close yourself off to someone. You never know when you might meet a friend for life.
  2. Follow your dreams and never give up. Dorothy was determined to get home. Even when times were tough, she persevered and accomplished her goal! Follow your own yellow brick road and stay strong!
  3. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Even though the wizard was trying to do a good thing by giving the people something to believe in, he was creating a lie. Dorothy and her friends were disappointed to find that he wasn’t a wizard after all. Remember that the truth will always find its way out so it’s better to just be YOU. Everyone will be happier in the end, including you.
  4. There’s no place like home. You don’t need an emerald city or ruby slippers to find happiness. You just need the people you call family and the comfort of your own home. Don’t take the little things for granted. Appreciate it while you have it!

I definitely don’t want to wait another 10 years before I watch it again. Why don’t I own this movie? If you haven’t seen it in a while, you should change that. It will give you all the good feels.