It's interesting to talk about my dear friend Archy, you see I never really had a transitional object except a blanket that my mum throw away (I think deliberately). Moving on I was a young lad in this site and met this amazing person who later become my ex. He suggest I get a plushie because at that time he is into it and we are sort of dating atm, beside that it would be a little reminder of him and my little state.
So after highschool I went to this expensive toy store and look at the plushie section.. I was so stiff and weird... The lady employee ask what kind of type that I would like, I told her I'm gonna giving it to a friend and the friend likes feline stuff... So I ended with this Leopard... Made by Hansa Toys, idk if they are famous but they did make one of the best Plushie around, the fur is so soft and actually it felt nice. Anyway because at that time my ex is really into feline and he is a furry himself and I thought it would look cute as well. He ask what name shall I give him, I have a little imagination and just call him Archie... Not short of my name but nods to RocknRolla character name Archibald "Archie" played by Vinnie Jones (Notes: This is not film for babies!)
First time with him? Well it was awkward.. I have a hard time getting little and I always find the idea silly, my ex suggest I should play and treat him like a friend and I did. At first it is awkward but then I get used to it, in fact I start pulling him up for bedtime everynight. At first I keep it secret with family, always hide him during the day and pull it out only at night or when I'm alone, but finally my family know about it and they sort of let me. But until now they constantly teasing me about it, but I stand firm... my plushie is one of the family that I had anyway.
Back to the story, so time goes on and he is always with me, I took him everywhere, we went to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Dubai and even UK. All these times I realize I can't sleep without him. He reminded me of warmth of family that I dreamed of, I never had idea what home looks like but when I hug him I felt like everywhere is my home. And he does remind me of my ex, I ended up getting him an exact plushie and shipped it to Wales.
I did ended up getting more plushie, First I got Leo, a lion form the same company and stores where I got Archie. And then we got Edward the Dubai born build a bear and the newest member of the pack is Cheetos another Leopard from Hamley in London. Honestly I never give them the same attention as Archie... All of them are actually Jealous.. Especially Leo... I do feel bad about him. I feel like he get estranged sometimes... But I hope they understand... I love them as much as Archie.. And I try to play with them as many as I can.
Back to Archie... I spend good times and sad times with him... He has my sweat, my tears and recently this year my bl**d... long story but I broke off with my ex and I ended up getting hospitalized... After the night we broke off.. I got a fever and vomiting blood... I never knew why but I remember Archie got covered with it.. Actually this is a hard moment for me.. Archie reminds me of my ex, and he realize it... For a point I thought getting rid off him will lessen my pain but in the end.. You just realized that while relationship has over... The plushies still needs care.. And either abandoning him or caring him.. I decide to care all my plushie.
As I writing this, Archie is in my neck... Leo, Edward and Cheetos is behind me... I know... I'm not being fair but I love them so much. They are has become like family to me, They are a remembrance for me that I can made this and found my own family and bringing them. I want to cheer them and past them to next generations and I want them to tell the next generations of their life stories.
As I wipe out my tears, I thought to myself... How can a plushie, which some sees as item. Be much of a valuable to someone. And the fact that I treat them like pets.. or like family instead... And I thought to myself... That's the way it is. They make me happy and I just be grateful and don't care of what others think.
It's amazing the power of Plushie.