The Story of Daisy

When I was six months old my parents got me a stuffed animal rabbit that somehow became known as Daisy. Now this is something that my parents did for each of my siblings as well. My older sister has a teddy bear named Rosie. My younger sister has a pig named…Piglet. My brother has a zebra that somehow get stuck with zebra as a name.

Daisy went EVERYWHERE with me. She helped me slay dragons at night and helped me steal mom’s Clinique lipstick from her bathroom when she wasn’t home and I wanted to pretend to be her. Daisy helped me be brave when I got shots and she soaked up all of my tears shed.

In 2017 Daisy braved the journey to another state with me as I began a new adventure. I couldn’t stay at friends houses without her..which at times were embarrassing to I just didn’t stay the night with them.

In 2018 Daisy lost her battle with a ferocious beast. I found myself in a relationship where he thought it was childish that I kept Daisy around. Unfortunately, I arrived home one day to never see her again.

I looked EVERYWHERE to find a stuffed animal rabbit to replace Daisy, knowing it was an impossible task. No stuffed animal would have the sewn on pink nose from 6 year old me chewing it off. No stuffed animal would have a hole in its bunny tail from putty getting stuck in it and having to be cut out.

In 2023 I married the love of my life. I knew without a shout of a doubt Kaden Ludlow was (is) my person. After our reception Kaden gave me a box. See, Kaden was smart to not give it to me beforehand. As I opened the unwrapped box tears flooded my eyes. Inside the unwrapped box, I laid eyes on MY Daisy.

The $20 gift, that may seem so insignificant to others, means the world to me. Now, I no longer slay dragons but I fight a chronic battle daily.

When Kaden purchased the $20 stuffed animal he had NO idea how much it meant to me. He may never know. But it was in that very moment that I knew I would never have to brave whatever battles life threw at me, alone. Not because I have Daisy 2.0 but because of what she represents.

Kaden is a truly remarkable person. Boy am I lucky.