I wrote this piece last year when I had all of three followers and I immediately thought of it when I read this week’s Red Writing Hood’s writing prompt: Write a piece about finding a forgotten item of clothing in the back of a drawer or closet. Let us know how the item was found, what it is, and why it’s so meaningful to you or your character.
With some editing, here is Hope, Dreams & Wishes:
Long before I ever thought I’d have children and certainly long before I had Lucas, I bought this little sweater. 
I found it at Old Navy, of all places. It was originally $16.50 and had been marked down to $3.99. The tag is still on it.
From the moment I saw it, I thought it was precious.
Navy blue is my favorite color and I loved the adorable red heart with the arrow going through it and something came over me and I just had to have it. I remember thinking at the time while standing in the check out line, I’m nowhere near ready to have children, why on earth am I buying this?!? I don’t even have a boyfriend.
It took me a while to realize that this tiny little sweater represented something stupendous and wonderful. Something bigger than myself. Something that was yet to be. It represented where my life was going to be someday. Where my life, if I was lucky enough, was heading…
True love, romance, marriage, children, cuddles, giggles, and a lifetime of memorable firsts and happy moments.
A childhood, not unlike my own.
The sweater stayed safely wrapped in tissue paper in the bottom of my pajama drawer for years, but each February when Valentine’s Day rolls around, I remember the sweater.
Just last week, ironically the week before Valentine’s Day, I was organizing Lucas’ closet and I came across this tiny sweater. I was about to add it to the donation pile until I realized what it was.
Maybe someday we’ll have a little sister for Lucas, as the sweater is far too feminine for him to wear and at size 3-6 months, far too small for him anyway.
I gingerly put the sweater back on the hanger, returned it to the closet and there it will stay as a peaceful reminder that so many of my hopes, dreams and wishes have already come true.
Click here to read the original piece posted February 12, 2010: Hopes, Dreams & Wishes.
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That sweater is adorable! Hopefully, Lucas will have a sister who can wear it. :)Hope, Dreams & Wishes is very well written — thanks for reposting.
The sweater is adorable and this story is all things lovely. I love that you had a vision for what you wanted your future to hold and you weren't afraid to buy something for that future.
I love it. That is such a sweet story. You must always keep that sweater. It's a tangible dream.
I love it. That is such a sweet story. You must always keep that sweater. It's a tangible dream.
I've also bought clothing for the children I've yet to have, and it is such a sweet delight when they do wear them. Thank you for sharing this.
I was always attracted to the teeny tiny shoes. And yes, I bought a few pairs, long before I had children of my own.
Sadly, once I had them, I realized that shoes for babies were more trouble than they were worth. I think they wore my special shoes once.
But they carried my dreams for years, anyway.
Love the sweater.
Wow. I have 3 followers… But enough about me. What a great piece. I had miscarriages like some people order pizza. And then we adopted. I so identify with the hope symbolized in that perfect little sweater. Wonderful piece. Never. Ever. Throw away that sweater.
What a lovely story, Tonya.
That you trusted that your world would one day be filled with wonder and joy is a beautiful thing.
You must keep that sweater for always, for all that it represents.
oh wow. how special. i could see why you want to keep it!! so funny that you bought it before you were even married!!
Awww, what a sweet memory. Now that I have 2 kids and I'm pretty sure I'm done I keep seeing these adorable baby clothes and I'm itching to buy them. Why? I just don't know.
Such a cute sweater. I love the way tangible things like sweaters can connect us to intangible dreams.
Really very sweet. And how wonderful that you kept it as a testament to your dreams coming true.
Stopping by from TRDC.
This story is so cute! I love that sweater, and the fact that you trusted your gut and just bought it because you knew you NEEDED it…I love that. A LOT!
So sweet!
Here from TRDC link..and wow, what a great story, what a real way to keep the dream you are living alive. To have it before you knew you'd need it…and to be aware of it's presence each year on a day full of love.
Loved the story!!!
That's so sweet. I think it's wonderful that you've kept it all this time. What a sweet reminder!
This is so wonderful. Thanks for linking it for Fledgling Friday.
I did something similar – not a piece of clothing but a book about baby girls. I bought it in my early 20s, long before I actually had a child (or a husband). Of course I, too, had a son, but I've still got it somewhere.
Yes. Put that sweater back on the hanger against that day. When the little sister comes home.
Beautifully written.
I love that you bought it so long ago, trusting your world would include such love. I wish I'd had that kind of confidence. Please, please always keep that sweater..
So sweet!
And to trust that the world will deliver what you want? That's a precious gift. Hold on to that; hold on to the sweater, too!
I love that you bought this! I used to do the same thing – I had a bin with a few items in it for down the road. I'm sure a little sister will look adorable in it!
I love this! So sweet that the younger you had visions of a life with a little one…even before the right daddy had come along!
I have visions of an adorable little girl in that one day..
I love this. So beautiful.
Hopes and wishes all knitted up in a cute sweater.
This is a really beautiful story. I think we all own an item (or more) like this, be it a baby sweater or an old travel book that represents a dream we once had. Thanks for sharing the story of your item with us.
It's such a cute little sweater and I hope with all my heart that one day you get to put it on a little girl.XOXO