NOTE: I was playing rough with friends at the park and my elf ears came off! Also, I have yet to get my Master Sword and shield.

THIS IS WHY I COSPLAY:
I made many smiles yesterday, but there are two I will always remember: the lady at McDonalds and a young boy at church.
Here's the story: My church (being awesome as always!) was holding a Wednesday Night Costume Service!! So of course I was going to go in one of my FAVORITE (though incomplete) cosplays! Well I have mild blood sugar issues and haden't eaten lunch that day. While I was driving out to pick up my friends, I was starting to feel queasy, but I was in cosplay and NO WAY was I gonna let my friends down (they love going to church with me) so I pulled through McDonald's drive-in and ordered my favorite meal there: a McChicken. I was giggling to myself as I pulled up, picturing Link victoriously eating a chicken sandwich (which I took a selfie of of course!) anyway! Ipulled through and the lady at the window looked like she was having a LONNNNNGGG day. I have family that works a this very McDonalds and I can tell you, the boss there is more like a slave owner. This lady sees my costume and goes from droop to smile. "Aren't you just the cutest thing!" she said as I paid for my food. Its very rewarding to at least give someone thirty seconds of sunshine! Well fast forward, I picked up my pals, we played at the park, took some nature pictures, and then headed to the church.
There was this sweet boy in Awanas club (its a kids club with their own pledge and its like boyscouts that meets on Wednesday nights and they play games and memorize Bible verses. Its super cute!) and I was EXHAUSTED. My Link cosplay consists of: a chest binder, a men's dress shirt, and a heavy, 100% cotton tunic. I was dying from running around and playing and I was going to re-hydrate. This sweetie pie gasped loudly and started tugging on his friend's sleeve saying "Legend of Zelda! Legend of Zelda!!" so I pose for them and play the most famous notes from the Lost Woods theme. His huge smile was so priceless! I hugged him and his friend and we fist-bumped.
This is why I cosplay! Not only does it make my day better, it makes people smile! Every smile I see makes me more confident. I'm powered by smiles and I LOVE making people happy!