A doll party story
That's mostly all true
Morning darklings,
When I was 8 or 9, maybe 10, my mother took me to a very special tea party. It was one for me and my American Girl Doll. It was a mothers and daughters event put on by the company, encouraging the daughters to wear matching dresses and indulge in make believe no matter their age.
When we got there, it felt like a million other girls just like me were there holding their dolls proudly. Some had them in pristine condition, others had melted bits at the end of their hair or marker on their faces. My Felicity1 was in between. I'd brushed her soft hair from its ponytail, I'd tugged the curls from around her face until they were a bit frizzy. I had just wanted to play with her, but she ended up looking more like me that way, which was a happy byproduct.
I didn't have an exact replica outfit, but I think I wore my favorite dress-up dress that I've worn to many Ren Faires (I'm in stranger's photo albums), Halloween parties, and used for numerous other kinds of costumes. It was my grandmother's and we hemmed it so the fabric was tucked inside but not removed. So it's grown with me. From age 9 to 38, it's always fit. The Traveling Dress.
*If this isn't what I wore, I don't want to be corrected with anything but a photo. And if someone has a photo from this event, I'll love them forever.
I don't remember what we ate, but I feel like there was lettuce drenched in ranch dressing, and I assume some sort of bready thing, maybe a chunk of meat wrapped in more bread, and a bread pudding, simply because it was the South. But it may have just been sandwiches, biscuits and jam, or crackers and cheese. To me, that was all unimportant—as was the tea part of the tea party. I didn't even drink anything but water, purple Kool-Aid, and white Icee at the time. I had extremely discerning taste back then. Since, I've added tea and removed the powdered dye and mystery (cherry) flavor syrup. The change has brought devastation to all that knew me then.
The part my mom and I were there for was the activities. There were crafts that fit the vibes of the olden days, one may say. My favorite, the one I remember most vividly and kept for so long I wouldn't be surprised if I still had it amongst my saved ephemera, involved two paper circles and a string. One circle had a bird, the other a cage. The string went in between. I remember using glue to smoosh them together and it taking ages to dry. Mom and I had time to make other little things and mean mug that one girl who looked and acted just like Samantha down to the replica outfit and shoes (iykyk) before I could play with it. The whole purpose of the little craft or toy, as it was back in the day, was to trap the bird in the cage. A little dark, a little delightful.
I never forgot this party, but I hadn't thought of it in ages. Clearly only the most amazing bits stuck, the parts that still resonate with me as an adult—crowds, outfits, hair, crafts, ranch dressing (probably), and staring down people who think they're better than everyone in the room (because no).
But the other day the hubs and I were watching a home reno show. Well, it was a cross between home renovation and hoarders and an auction show. Decidedly too much in one thing. Anyway, one of the women in the show had a ton of American Girl Dolls. She was selling them and complaining that she didn't get that much. So I looked up how much they were now. Much to my surprise, the prices haven't changed with inflation as much as expected. That's not really what really struck me, what hit was that their Create Your Own Doll has expanded.
After having Felicity for a year or so, we decided she needed a friend. In came designing a mini me, complete with cast and crutches and roller skates.
Sure, the doll could have been Samantha—almost—with straight hair and modern clothes, but her eyes were a little lighter, and that mattered. I got to carry around the me I was and the me I wanted to be (a ginger).
Almost 30 years later, I'm looking at a mini me of the current me. Could I have imagined? Of all the hair styles and colors to keep up with.
Okay, so it's a little more bubblegum than peach, but dang. Look at those glasses even! One must admit that they have been following me pretty closely to nail it so.
I recall a girl in a wheelchair with a hearing aid. Her doll also had a wheelchair, which was really exciting. I can't remember if the company had made one yet or if it was unlicensed. (There's a large movement of creators who design dresses and accoutrements for American Girl Dolls that are sold at craft fairs and on Etsy. They make getting new things for the dolls more affordable—or they did—and there was way more customization.)
Now, if that woman wanted, she could get a new doll with a hearing aid today. And I bet she's got purple hair—that's one of the only three "fashion color" hair options.
We did it, ya'll. Me and the one sweet girl with Molly-shaped glasses who laughed when the Samantha lookalike spilled a little water on her. We made an inclusive and cool American Girl Doll company just for you and your loved ones.
Should we ask for royalties?
Also, does anyone know who she is?
- I only just found out that Felicity's family were slave owners last week. This broke my heart. The company has a love for adding deep backstories—especially ones that bring up Big Feelings and deep conversations. I'm truthfully not sure how overt it was, as I only "read" one book, and, admittedly, not thoroughly (I was decidedly not a reader back then).
Apropos of nothing: while looking for the photo of me with my American Girl Doll, I saw me in jellies over a dozen times and thought about the many times I've revisited jellies after remembering they existed because I was looking for photos from the 90s. It's now Find Jellies O'clock, I suppose. The last two times, I had to buy from the kids section. But now... do they even still exist? And you know I want the light-up kind more than the others.
Wish me luck.
Until next time, harness the Little darknesses and embrace the Little things.
