The Day the Poppies Found Me

I spent ten unforgettable years working at Disney as a performer—and during that time, Dopey was a very special “friend” of mine. The magic I experienced behind the scenes helped shape who I am, and in moments of confusion or heaviness, I sometimes return to that world in search of comfort.

Recently, I felt myself needing that familiar spark again. A moment of uplift. I decided to see the new Snow White film, quietly hoping it would stir something in me.

The Heigh-Ho number brought lightness to my heart—and in a funny way, it struck me: there are seven dwarfs. Of course. The number seven has echoed throughout my life with Olivia. We even shared matching tattoos of the number. To see it again in such a joyful, classic context felt like Olivia was winking at me.

But the moment that changed everything came outside the theater. I was looking at the promotional poster and suddenly saw them—poppies. Bold, red, unmistakable.

I had searched online during the movie in an empty theater—wondering if anyone had noticed poppies in the film. Nothing came up. But here they were, hidden in plain sight by the dwarfs’ cottage.

Poppies have always symbolized so much: rest, dreams, remembrance, and the sacred space between this world and the next. And in that quiet moment, I knew without doubt:

Olivia was with me.

She’s always been subtle with her miracles. Never loud, never flashy—just a quiet presence, showing up in meaningful ways when I need her most.

That day, she found me again through a flower. And that’s the kind of magic even Disney can’t write.