Big, beautiful lips.

by Ashley Weeks Cart

Everyone, meet Thorny. He has big beautiful lips.

thorny

For those of you that are Super Trooper aficionados like my husband, you will understand this inane reference.

Thorny was the first gift I bestowed upon James back when we were first dating and he was a red-faced, frequently-intoxicated, young lad that might find humor in such a present. The red-faced part hasn’t changed much nor the maturity of his humor. Regardless, until today, Thorny had not played much of a role in our lives beyond being a silly, honey-moon-stage present that induced nostalgia and little else. He has been buried in the back of our closet for the majority of his “life.”

For whatever reason, this evening James decided to pull him out of the closet and make kissy noises as he placed those big, beautiful lips on Addison’s bare belly, post-bath time.

The noise that came out of the Bug’s mouth in response to Thorny’s introduction in her life was by far the most beautiful, joyful sound to ever hit my ears. The sound of her laughing. Big bellied, open-mouthed, chuckling.

From henceforth, Thorny shall be my most favorite stuffed animal and his primary colors shall proudly clash against the walls of the pink and pastel clad nursery. There shall forevermore be a special place in my heart for dear Thorny.