5 B's.

Hi, I'd like you to meet someone.

His name is Brian Bear. (To clear up confusion, he's named after my dad, not my middle name. That'd just be arrogant. Even for a small child.) More specifically, his name is Brian Bear With a Beanie Bag Butt. He prefers Brian Bear and still despises my immaturity to name him something like that. His favorite color is blue. His favorite space in Battleship is "B5." And his favorite activity is to get sewn up after me bringing him everywhere causes him to fall apart.

Let me explain how this adorable bear-like creature came into my life. Megan had this awesome polka dotted stuffed bunny. I was admittedly jealous and actually borrowed the thing at every possible opportunity. My parents realized it was time to get me my own, and so went out in search of a stuffed bunny for me. I spent an entire evening pacing around the house out of excitement. Then my mom got home, and she handed me a bear. Not just a bear, but a bear with a bow on it!

I was a little disappointed. I hadn't really wanted a bear, but after some convincing I took the bow off of him and decided to give the bear a chance. Besides, he kind of looked like Winnie the Pooh. And that was always a plus. Then I discovered that his...um...rear was of the beanie bag variety. Just like that he captured the heart of an 8-year-old.

Years went by. He spent every single night nestled in my arms. We did most everything together. Except for things that could cause him harm. I was really protective of him. No one but my mom was allowed to touch him. Not friends, not siblings, just Mom. Yet the years still took their toll on his fuzzy body. He has more stitched up parts than a plastic surgery addict.

Im a 17 year old boy. I have a job, a license, a girlfriend, and Im even planning on taking college classes later this year. But Im still protective of my teddy bear. There are only two inanimate objects that rival him in importance. My Buzz and Woody toys. They are also in poor shape, but they're all mine. And they've been some of my best friends for years. I suppose its time I introduce them officially to the best friend who's going to outlast them. I think they'll be happy knowing I have the best replacement imaginable.