Anyone who knows McKenna knows that she does not go far without "Bear-Bear". He's been a staple in our family since McKenna was a few months old. I wanted McKenna to have a lovey when I went back to work; something that she could have at home and at Mimi's house. Something that would make her feel secure and that she could hug. I didn't have anything specific in mind. My mom found the bear for McKenna and presented it to her at her baptism. I do remember thinking that a pink bear might not have been what I had chosen. Looking back now, I can't imagine the past 5 years with anything else. The pink bear definitely fits McKenna and her personality.

She was too little to even hold the thing at first, so I dutifully carried it with us where ever we went. Soon she could wrap a chubby arm around his neck and carry him. Everywhere we went people would ask what she had named the bear. What else would a toddler say, "Bear-Bear" was his name.

Since his introduction into our family, Bear-Bear has pretty much seen it all. He has survived multiple trips to the beach during which he even had the chance to take a dip in the ocean and bury his feet in the sand. He's been to Disney World twice and met Mickey more times than some people. He's taken baths, wagon rides, picked out Christmas trees, attended countless weddings, graduations, birthday parties, and Fourth of July parades. He attended daycare and worked his way from a grasshopper to a lightening bug while perched in a cubby watching over our little one when we couldn't be around. And I'm sure he won't stop there, although he is not allowed to attend Kindergarten.

We have spent many hours (if you add it all up) looking for Bear when he's been lost somewhere in the house. He may actually appear in more pictures with McKenna than both Earl and I combined. We've spent many more hours bargaining with McKenna to leave him at home or at the very least in the car. There's not many times that we leave our house without someone saying, "Do you have Bear-Bear." Sometimes I'm not really clear who Bear comforts more as you have never sensed a greater panic than the one that sets in when you think you have officially lost the Bear on a trip to Beaver Stadium or the mall.

But above all, Bear's been a cherished friend. He has seen McKenna through happy times, scarey times, sad times, confusing times, and every single thing in between. In a topsy turvey world where some days things seem to be changing more quickly than anyone can keep up, I'm glad she has a trusted friend. He may be bright pink and a little ragged, but he's perfect in one little girl's eyes and that's all that really matters.