My first boyfriend, "Scott"

I was telling this story to Lyn the other day and, despite it being horrendously embarrassing to admit, I decided to post it.

When I was about 8 years old, I got a Scotties Little Softie doll. I collected the tops of tissue boxes and mailed them into the company along with $3.25. Six to eight weeks later, the doll arrived. I used him as a pillow for a long time and became quite accustomed to him.

When I was about 10 or 11, I used my Scottie doll for another purpose. I was lonely sleeping by myself and realized I needed a snooze partner. I put a pillow as the body, used a twisted up blanket for arms and put the Scottie doll as the head. I cuddled up next to my girl-made man and wrap the "arms" around me.

I spent the evenings before I went to sleep talking to my creation. I would tell him secrets and cuddle into the arms and even practiced kissing. I fell asleep comfortable knowing I was no longer alone.

I'm not sure when I outgrew this habit (but for a long time I couldn't sleep unless I had the weight of a twisted up blanket over me) but I know it never made it into my teen years. I have no idea if my parents ever looked in on me sleeping and saw me, but I am mortified to think they ever did.

I still have Scottie, but he is currently in a plastic bin in my garage. I replaced him with three dogs.