In 1995, my great-aunt gave me a stuffed cat. It was my absolute favorite, and slept with me every night through my childhood. When she passed, we found out she had bought an identical cat and kept it in pristine condition for two decades. The years of love certainly left their mark.

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image showing In 1995, my great-aunt gave me a stuffed cat. It was my absolute favorite, and slept with me every night through my childhood. When she passed, we found out she had bought an identical cat and kept it in pristine condition for two decades. The years of love certainly left their mark.

Trioinmyhead on November 19th, 2017 at 19:53 UTC »

Buying the 2nd one is actually a good idea. What if you had lost the first or it got destroyed? She was ready to save the day.

roquelaure on November 19th, 2017 at 20:35 UTC »

I love this so goddamn much. I still have my favorite stuffed animal that I got on Christmas, 1982. It's become this running thing on Christmases when I'm at my parents that I bring him with me (he has an honored place on a bookshelf in my house) and he hangs out under the tree. A few Christmases ago, my mom hunted one down on ebay, wrapped him up, and gave it to me from "Santa". Tears. So many tears.

ChairmanMreow on November 19th, 2017 at 21:06 UTC »

There is a quote from the velveteen rabbit that I think applies very much here.. “Real isn't how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real.”