By Tiffany Richards Elliott, Special to The Mirror

This fall, Disney/Pixar re-released both “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” in 3-D to theaters throughout much of the known world.

When I heard this, I was ecstatic. Here is a rare opportunity to relive one of the most pleasant memories of my childhood. Who would hesitate to jump on a chance like that? I’m not about to miss it.

As I thought about this more and more, I realized how true those words, childhood memory, really are. I was amazed when I began to realize that an entire generation has come of age with no memory of the first film’s theatrical release. The youngest of viewers are a lot like Andy in the films. They have all grown up, and left their childhood behind them forever.

I too have grown up.

It is in light of this revelation that I welcome you, citizens of Federal Way, on a short trip down memory lane. A journey into a period in our not-so-distant past that no longer exists, but was as real as you and me.

It is November 1995. Monica Lewinsky is just another White House intern. The infamous Unabomber is still at large. The United Nations has just celebrated its 50th birthday.

The city of Federal Way is a slightly different place, not unrecognizable, but different. SeaTac Mall is still SeaTac Mall. The Good Guys are perched on the corner of 320th Street and Pacific Highway. And one of Home Depot’s major rivals, Eagle Hardware, is just next door.

I have just turned 11. I am short for my age, only about 4’4’’ or 4’5’’ and just beginning the school year as a fifth-grader at Mirror Lake Elementary School. I can pluck “Hot Cross Buns,” “Ode to Joy” and a smattering of “Jingle Bells” on the violin.

I am at the age when I think my teacher, Mr. Andrews, at age 29, is old. And my parents are just ancient.

I am also a regular consumer of VHS tapes and the Super Nintendo, which my parents splurged on a couple of years earlier.

In celebration of Thanksgiving, my parents have just taken myself and my three younger siblings, ages 9, 6 and 5, to the AMC Theaters in SeaTac to watch “Toy Story.” At this age, going to the theaters as a family is a special treat.

The first thing I notice about the film is that I recognize one of the actors. I know Tim Allen’s voice from the sitcom “Home Improvement” instantly. My mom later tells me that Wallace Shawn (Vizzini from “The Princess Bride”) is the voice of Rex. I don’t believe her; part of me is still convinced that he actually died in the battle of wits.

I recognize the name “Andrew Stanton” but not for reasons you would expect. I’m thinking, “Oh, there’s an Andrew in my class.”

It should be noted that if there were a Joe, Pete or John in my class, I would have had the same revelation.

The second things I notice are the graphics. I have heard people say, “This is the first feature-length film done entirely on computers,” but it really doesn’t sink in until I see it for myself. I have to convince myself audibly, more than once, that I’m watching an animated film, not a live-action one.

I’ve seen dozens of animated films. I saw “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Thumbelina” and “Beauty and the Beast” in theaters too. But nothing quite like this one.

My teacher is using an Apple Mac desktop, which is a good couple of years old at this point. I don’t really know what this Internet thing is. And my parents don’t own a computer like Mr. Andrews, so I have to hand-write my entire final papers in pen. And yes, my parents are too poor to own a fancy cell phone.

I don’t really know who Joe Ranft, John Lassiter or Steve Jobs are. My parents say Steve Jobs helped create Mr. Andrews’ desktop, but that’s about it. I don’t really know what Pixar is either, but I like the lamp at the beginning.

There is something about this 3-D thing that intrigues me. Everyone says I won’t, but I think I’m going to see more of it in the future.

But, for now, I’m an awkward fifth-grader at Mirror Lake Elementary in Federal Way who can play the violin.

Now, in 2009, we look forward to the newest incarnation of mass entertainment. At the ripe old age of 25, I find it beneficial to look back at those moments that have helped shaped who we are today. I would like to thank you, citizens of Federal Way, for accompanying me in my own stroll down memory lane.