The other morning, I needed to pick up a few things at the mall. First stop was Sprouts, and as I walked there, I was surprised to see a line forming at the store FIVE BELOW. It was not even 9AM and FIVE BELOW doesn’t open until 10.
When I left Sprouts, the line had grown and curious as to why this was happening, I asked one of the gals who was in line. She shared that everyone was there early to buy a popular viral stuffed animal. I just laughed, shocked that anyone would arrive one hour early for a bit of fluff. And then I remembered.
The year was 1985 and the must have toy of the moment was the Cabbage Patch doll. The only place to find one was at Toy-R-Us and I, along with every other mom in the neighborhood, would stand outside the store before they opened in our quest to find this chubby cheeked doll. By the end of 1983, nearly 3 million dolls had been adopted, making it the most successful new doll in toy history.
Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky moms because I never managed to adopt a doll for Cassandra. I don't think it scarred Cassandra for life, but me? That's another story.