Do you have a favorite article of clothing? I think everyone does. It’s different for each person — all a matter of preference and personality really. But whatever it is (are you thinking of yours?), it’s something that gives immediate comfort or a much needed ounce of confidence. Am I right? Of COURSE I am. Just ask my sisters … I’m always right.
My favorite? … the thing I am IN LOVE with today? … is my pajama top. Oh I love it! I love it. I. Love. It. And sadly … I think I’m going to have to retire this most beloved possession for reasons I’ll show you in a moment (hence this tribute).
I bought this long-sleeve tee on my first trip to Park City, UT. I was a freshman at BYU and my sister came to town and wanted to ski. Me ski? No way. Too freakin scared. But I waited while she ate snow all day AND busted her knee really bad (one more reason not to ski) and after it was all said and done, I needed a souvenir to remember it all by of course. And well, this navy tee looked “cool” to me for some reason. And I wore it a-LOT. I have a scrap book full of freshman memories and most of them are of me in this T-shirt. Whatever.
But no matter how the wardrobe changed, and luckily it has, this shirt was always in the bottom drawer with the rest of the jamms. I took it home with me every summer break and then hauled it back out to UT to meet a new semester of new classes and new roommates. It traveled to Washington to go on a mission with me. And it happily hopped into the tower of boxes that followed me after college as I ventured out into the land of grown-ups.
Eventually the bottom hem unraveled and somewhere along the way the screen-printed “Park City” on the chest began to flake. What began as one hole, all of a sudden became a dozen. It stopped holding its shape. And began holding mine. But that’s when it got good. You know? When the cotton got really soft and thin–all broken in and just right.
We’re going on 11 years now, me and my tee. It’s been cried on, drooled on, sweated on. It’s stayed up with me on all my insomniac-ical nights. And I’ve been putting off that day–the day when I’d have to retire this goody. Actually, I don’t think there will ever be a day when I voluntarily give it up. The only way this shirt won’t go to bed with me is if its threads give up the ghost and fall to the floor when I put it on. That or it disintegrates in the washer (which is very possible considering the state of the fibers). I’m like a 4-year-old who’s just been told she has to hand over her bink. It’s been with me 11 years! 11 years! I can’t just toss it into the dustbin! (dude I need a husband don’t I?!).
Well … without further adieu … my pajama top …
The Left Cuff:
The Right Cuff:
The Left Boob:
Aaaand the Right Boob:
The Left Elbow:
And the real kicker … The Right Elbow:
All I know is that I LOVE THIS SHIRT. And it loves me.
And we’re going to bed.
I totally understand your love for your shirt! You’ll have to meet my BYU sweatshirt ~ my FIRST BYU sweatshirt. The one my mommy bought me from Sears (of all places!) and brought it to me at work ~ the fabulous Cineplex Odeon Theaters, where I worked before college. She wasn’t a member of the BYU-affiliated church, but I was and she knew I wanted one, and she got it for me.
I have worn it and worn it and it has been broken in and has been loved, just like your awesome Park City shirt. There are holes in the cuff and serious wear at the elbows (but I think you’ve got me beat with those elbows!). But I love it. And it’s NEVER going away. gosh, it’s coming up on 16 years since it was new.
It’s kind to my not-so-18 anymore figure and has stretched with pregnancies and just hung patiently when there was less of me to hide.
I understand your feelings. Maybe our shirts would be friends.
Me again! I pulled my beloved out of the closet today and after assessing her loveliness, you’ve definitely got me beat on the elbows, but my armpits are awesome!! We’re about tied on the cuffs.. boobidge I’m not sure.. will have to look again. Somehow we’ll have to get a picture someday of both of us in our shirts. Even if it’s in 10 years. Just think how AMAZING we’ll look by then!
I remember that shirt! you wore it on the mission too! I think I even have a picture of you in it.
That is love! If only people could be as faithful to eachother as you have been to that T-shirt, the world would be a better place. Sadly there is no ressurection for shirts that I an aware of and the day is coming when that shirt is going to give up the ghost while be washed in the laundry…at that point cut a few squares off of it and add it to a memory quilt or something!!! You’re the best!!!
The exact same thing happened to me just now with my pajama bottoms . . . not often you can find them long enough to be so cozy on a gal like me. Tripping over the gaping holes made me throw them away . . . soooo sad . . .
i remember that shirt and i love it too! it’s like the most comfy thing you will ever put on your body… but honey, i think it might be time… for a new shirt :) um and i decided you need to teach me how to do all this fun stuff on your blog cause mine is B-O-R-I-N-G :)