3 years ago, for my 18th birthday, my boyfriend gifted me with one of the most precious items I own. We hadn’t even been dating for a year, so not only was I not expecting much, but I wasn’t expecting something so utterly me.
I had been with my family all day, and was going to be extremely busy the following, so he and I just planned a quick, simple nighttime meeting at the Starbucks at Mockingbird Station. He was so eager to give me the gift, so what could I do but oblige?
As we sat down, he handed me an unassuming paper bag with tissue paper. When I pulled out a robin’s egg blue box, I couldn’t believe it. Was it a joke? Was it a mistake? Was it really for me? It’s not that my family isn’t well-off, it’s that we never spend money on jewelery. But of course, like every girl (even the most jewelery-deprived), I knew the prestige of Tiffany’s. I shook as I opened the box.
I pulled out the most simple, understated, and simultaneously perfect necklace that I’ve ever seen. The “X”, designed by Paloma Picasso, was intended to represent “kisses”. A little trite, I know. But the symbol is so much more than that. In the few years that I’ve had this necklace, I’ve projected my own personal interpretations onto it, with every scratch and ding I’ve etched onto the surface. The more irregular it is, the more me it becomes.
As I said, I’m not a jewelery girl at all. No rings (I lost the one Mark gave me), no bracelets, no earrings (though my ears are pierced). But I wear this necklace every hour of every day. In its absence I find myself reaching for it, my fingers searching – even though I never notice myself doing it when I’m wearing it. Its presence is just so natural to me!
I love this necklace so much, and I told him that I want a gold one for Christmas! I was only joking though – there’s no way I need a $500 necklace when I have this one.
Oh, and I also have a new hair color! It’s a subtle change that’s apparently not even very noticeable in person – from light blonde to a darker blonde. To me, though, it makes all the difference. I’m my natural color for the first time in five years, and I’m just happy that I no longer have to fight my roots!!
It looks quite brown here though.
Hello, I'm Catherine, a university student studying drawing and painting with aspirations of becoming an animator. You've reached my personal blog and portfolio! 
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5 Comments
Very sweet necklace & I love your new hair color. :)
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I’ve always love this necklace on you, you wear it with so many of your outfits :) And I’m so glad it has sentimental value for you as well <3 I'm not much for jewelery either, but I can't help but feel a weakness for Tiffany products ;)
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i love this post!!!
my parents gave me the “dream a little dream” necklace from tiffany’s
for a college graduation present last year, because they’ve called me their “little dreamer” ever since i can remember. it was the most sweetest, wonderful gift ever. i wear it every single day!
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That is a lovely story. I am so fascinated with all the little intricacies of people’s relationships. Since you have shared such a personal story, I’ll return the favour: I met my boyfriend while interviewing him for my thesis, the first year I became a postgraduate student. He’s a ballet dancer and I was interviewing his ballet company. We flirted outrageously and he bought me a bus ticket home at the end of the interview. I still have that ticket :)
P.S. I love the darker shade of your hair, it must have been a pain to deal with roots!
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Catherine Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 2:39 am
Thank you so much for your own story – that is so cool that you still have the ticket!
I think male ballet dancers are so beautiful. My first real crush was a male ballet dancer who lived across the street from me. :)
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