Happy Birthday Nelson

There is a boy.

That boy has a friend. 

That friend is grey and blue, has floppy ears, and "the softest tail in the whole wide world."

That boy has taken his friend to his first day of school, to doctors appointments, to the emergency room, to the grocery store, to his grandmothers' houses, on vacations, in cars, and most importantly...

that grey and blue and floppy eared friend with the softest tail in the whole wide world has been held in this boys arms every night while they slept. That boy's fingers stroking that tail all night long. 

That friend's name is Nelson. Nelson is a stuffed puppy dog.

Yesterday, "October two-th" was Nelson's birthday. 

And, just like we did the year before, we make a cake, lit a candle, and sang to Nelson to celebrate his birthday.

Yes, that cake is in the shape of an "N." And yes, that is the cutest boy on the planet!

So, here's to all of our "friends" from all of our childhoods. Some forgotten, some in keepsake boxes in attics, some donated, some lost forever, some still in the arms of their friends while they sleep, even at 35 years old. May we all remember the safety and love they brought us. May we all take a moment to celebrate the simple joy they symbolize.

Happy Birthday, Nelson. May you always have the softest tail in the whole wide world.