I think as humans we tend to view ourselves in terms of the things that "define" us. (Ooo goodie. A deep blog post.) I define myself by my children - I am a mother. I define myself by my husband - I am a wife. I define myself by my beliefs - I am a Mormon. I think most people see themselves through the powerful aspects of our lives. Our loved ones. Our Faith. Our career. Our passions.
But let's ignore all that stuff for a bit.
What about the really small things that define us. One of the best parts of getting to know someone is to find out the really small things that make them who they are. But I want to get even more superficial than that. What are the "things" that define us. Like actual physical objects. The "things" in our lives that are so much a part of us, they become synonymous with who we are.
For example. My friend
Lisa (who just announced she is having a baby girl!!!!) would not be the Lisa we know and love without her HUGE collection of random t-shirts. I mean, it is incredible. If there is a cool t-shirt out there, she owns it. Lisa, I really think you should make some kind of collage of all your tees. I would buy that print. A blog every week of you wearing your tees as your belly grows. Oh man, it would be awesome.
My friend
Amy could be partially defined by her incredibly worn copy of the movie "Can't Buy Me Love". She WAS Cindy Mancini in high school.
One of my boyfriends from high school would not be the man he is today without his Timberland Boots. He wore them everyday. I just noticed in his Christmas card photo that he is still wearing them.
I have several (male) friends who would have no idea how to exist for a moment without their blackberries. Whether it is work, the score or the weather - they are checking.
What would Julia Child be without her pearls? Fonzie without his jacket? Tina Fey without her glasses? Hugh Hefner without that hideous smoking jacket?
Anyway - as I was dwelling on such fun non essentials, I started compiling my own list of defining "things". Not only what other people would know, but somethings only I would think of. What I found was that they changed so totally and completely over the years that you can almost create a time line of my life based on these "things" and what they represented. Seriously, it was fun. You should try it on your own blog.......
Me. On a small scale.
Childhood:
Wonderbread Sack - I carried one around with me as a purse for years.
Books. Way too many to name.
Doll stroller named "Poodo the Llama".
Flannel nightgowns.
Best Friend heart necklace.
Posters. (Kirt Cameron, Kittens, Cast of Just the 10 of us.....)
Cabbage Patch Doll
High School:
Roses. - I worked as a florist and I dated really sweet boys.
Flannel shirts. - It was the 90's in Washington. No judgement please.
Lemons. Yum.
Ender's Game.
Chicken Fried Rice and Egg Foo Young
Journals.
My Honda Prelude. Is there anything better than kissing good night after a date in your own car? Ah, the joys of youth.
College-
My guitar.
My CD's.
Diet Coke.
Burritos made in the sandwich maker.
Black polyester pants from the thrift center.
Journals.
And at the end of college....Shane and a big fat engagement ring :)
First 5 years of marriage (i.e. no kids yet)
Black heels.
Birth control.
Black yoga pants.
Sports Bras.
Starbuck's Hot Chocolate.
Pride and Prejudice DVDs.
Dark rimmed eye glasses.
Lingerie.
Alarm clock. (I was a career women who needed 8 hours of sleep and always made sure I got it. I haven't sleep 8 hours in a row in years.)
Chi straightener.
Treadmill.
Now.
Hoodies.
Camera.
Black flip flops.
Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.
All things yellow.
My Computer.
Nursing pads.
Violet eyeliner.
Handmade jewelry.
"The Mix" : Cherry Coke Zero mixed with Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
Kitchenaid.
Birth control.
So that is my list of defining "things". I would love to read yours. If you do make a list, make sure to leave the link in a comment so we can all check it out.
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