Wednesday, July 6, 2011

curious george has dyed


i had a lingerie shower before my wedding, and for a 21-year-old from a tiny town in north carolina, it was an overwhelming abundance of lace, straps and snaps. and i loved it. and i packed it all into my tiny samsonite when we left for our honeymoon in jamaica.

but then, somebody else snuck into my bag as well. george.

i've had these shorts since the seventh grade. middle school, i tell you! i got them on my family's first and only trip to disney world. the summer it was so blazing hot that even a water spritzer with a fan on it couldn't cool me down. the trip where i rode the rockin' roller coaster with mama and the initial jolt threw my hips forward so bad i couldn't walk straight the rest of the time. the happiest place on earth, i say.

and i saw these bad boys hanging in the gift shop. they were overpriced. they were cartoonish. heck, with the two buttons in the front they were most certainly for boys. but i had to have them. and i've worn them every single night since. george traveled with me through high school, and was there in bed when i cried myself to sleep over boys that didn't last, tests that didn't end well, and that one two-week fight with robert in july 2007.

they went with me to college. and my first apartment. then, on my honeymoon. after that, i stored them in my very first chest of drawers in my very first home with my new husband and our new dog.

but last week, i did something awful.

i washed george with a new pair of red jeans. some fabulous red jeans i found in a thrift store, but that's beside the fact.

and george turned pink. how can george save the world from outer space invaders when he's traveling through a sphere of pastel rose? it just doesn't fit. i've washed and washed them, and the stain is starting to fade, and from the looks of these pictures, it's not too bad. 

but they still bring me comfort. like reading my Bible in bed at night or waking up and stretching outside with the sunrise. and the best part of all? robert thinks they're cute.

and whatever it is that makes you feel like you--whether its your boyfriend's oversized sweater, your favorite pair of skinny jeans, your favorite sweatpants, or even a lacy get-up, it's worth holding on to. worth washing and re-washing and stretching out the elastic and literally getting all you can out of the threads.

and worth writing an entire post about, apparently.

23 comments:

Dee Paulino said...

this is so cute, I love the moral of this story.

Anonymous said...

He's cute in his new blushing rose color. I have two pieces like that and I never thought about how opposite they are. One is a black (fading to gray now) tshirt that says "no romance" on the back and the other is a white (now off white) sweatshirt with 3 hearts on the front - :)

jeanette from everton terrace

Steph said...

I like them too. I have an Ozzfest 1999 t-shirt that I can't get rid of. It's super thin and has holes in it now but I still love it.

Jennifer Rod said...

i have my favorite pjs too. and i want to hold on tight forever more :)

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

I know how you feel. There's a pair of shorts I've hung on to for years!

Anonymous said...

I love your Curious George!
I know how you must have felt when it came out pink.
But I think it still looks cute!

Oh dearest Courtney,
your words are so, so, so indescribably beautiful!

Love,
anna

Erika Lee @ A Tiny Rocket said...

AWWW George! It's amazing what stays with you and sees you through all the different parts of growing up in life.

Have you tried soaking it in vinegar? Also on a corner might want to try a a dab of bleach.

Cara-Mia said...

Aww. I love that you've had these since junior high. Memories.

DaisyGirl said...

That's funny!! I have some pajamas like that. They shouldn't still be worn (and I've even thought a few times lately of getting rid of them) but I can't help but put them on during cold nights!

Meri said...

Now they are just evolving into a different kind of the George Shorts- I'm glad they are so well loved! I have a few t-shirts I have had for ages and ages that are totally threadbare but I can't separate from them.

Unknown said...

Well, this is just another part of George and his adventure with you. :) it was definitely worth writing about. a different post i thoroughly enjoyed reading.
♥ Bibi

Emily said...

haha that is too cute! sorry about george though :( something thats been so good to you cant just be thrown away though!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

they don't look too pink at all- and they look super comfy.

Amber said...

at first I thought you snapped a pic of robert's boxers.

Call it Adventure said...

this is adorable! I definitely understand attachment. I have a blanket that I've had for years that's starting to fall to pieces, but it's still the most comfortable, comforting think ever. I love it. :)

Some Korean Website Highjacker said...

definitely worth an entire post! oh gosh, the way you wove this story about the George situation brings laughter and strong validation too. i know those kinds of memento pieces that travel with you everywhere are such treasures. sad, sad, sads over Georges pinked out-ness. you're so awesome Courtney! ♥

pea ess: thanks for the IHOD love, your comment was tingle inducing. xo

Christina said...

I love Brandon's long sleeve NC State t-shirt. It traveled with me to Peru while I backpacked the Inca trail and it is a constant companion during the winter. I couldn't imagine not having that t-shirt to snuggle up in.

Anonymous said...

Hehe, I love it! Whatever, George is cool enough that he can pull off pink!

I still sleep in my middle school gym uniform- it has about 12 years of softness built up from all those washings! I am never getting rid of it. :)

the southern hostess said...

I can so relate! I'm the same way with my pjs. It's probably time to throw them away, but I just can't bear it.

Shalyn said...

Your so funny! I was not excited for lingerie when I got married- I love my sweatpants and t-shirt, ha! Those shorts look so comfy!

erika said...

So great. :)

Red Boots said...

Oh, I know the feeling. I have this cream Fairisle knit cardigan of my mum's that i adore. Only the last time I washed it a red dress sneaked in the wash, and dyed bits of the cardigan pink. I tried to wash it out using various methods, and not only did it shrink the cardigan, but also felted it too. I was devastated. I think I'm going to turn it into a cushion cover now, just so i still have it with me.

beka said...

oh my.
no words for how much i love this.

i want some shorts like that.... :)

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