Senior Milena Velez smiles with her stuffed animal Bunny in 2010. Velez said Bunny used to have a pink and white striped bow but it fell off. Photo courtesy of Milena Velez
Childhood possessions, such as a baby blanket or stuffed animal, are often considered people’s most treasured possessions.
These childhood possessions have watched their owners grow up and been there as a source of comfort. Pepperdine students said they consider their childhood possessions as some of the most important items they own.
Junior Adri Sahakian said she has had a stuffed animal named Lamby for about 17 years.
“She’s technically watched me grow up, and the thought of that makes me nostalgic for my childhood,” Sahakian said. “I’m happy to have something like that still around.”
Sahakian said time definitely plays a role in why Lamby is so important.
“She [Lamby] sits on her two back legs and looks up at the world in wonder with beady black eyes and an open mouth,” Sahakian said.
Senior Milena Velez said she has a bunny named Bunny who has been around for about 16 years and that Bunny has always been there for her.
“As an only child, I was always lonely,” Velez said. “To cope with this, I developed a very strong attachment to everything. The constants in my life were objects, so I started doing everything with him [Bunny] and never really stopped. I slept with him every night and brought him anywhere I’d spend the night; sleepovers, vacations, etc.”
Senior Annalia Garrett said her most important childhood possession would be the stuffed monkey she had growing up.
“His name was Mono because I’m half Argentine,” Garrett said. “I couldn’t come up with a better name honestly and just named him Mono fully with my little Spanish accent I used to have.”
Garrett said she slept with Mono, took it to school for show and tell and was so proud to have this stuffed monkey by her side.
Senior Annalia Garrett smiles for the camera with Mono in 2010. Garrett said Mono was one of her earliest stuffed animals. Photo courtesy of Annalia Garrett
First-year Annabel Cluck said she has a small brown lab puppy, named Puppy who is currently wearing clothes that her grandmother made.
“My aunt Sheri — who’s really just a family friend — gave him to me for my birthday when I was four and we’ve been inseparable ever since,” Cluck said.
Puppy sits in Cluck’s dorm room Sept. 26. Cluck said Puppy has been around for all of her ups and downs. Photo courtesy of Annabel Cluck
Sahakian said dancing around her house with Lamby is a memory that sticks out to her.
“My memories of childhood are super hazy, but I would carry her [Lamby] everywhere and prance around,” Sahakian said.
Cluck said she made up a song for Puppy and would drive him around her house.
“One of my favorite memories of Puppy is putting him in a Barbie convertible and driving him around my house, singing ‘puppy in a vehicle’ which is a song that I just made up,” Cluck said. “This has since become one of my parents favorite stories to tell.”
Similarly, Velez said she also has a memory with Bunny involving her parents.
“My favorite memory of Bunny is whenever my dad sets him up,” Velez said. “My dad will often surprise me by placing Bunny in different locations around the house, and many times my dad will “tuck” Bunny into my bed.”
Bunny, all tucked into bed in Velez’ house in 2022. Velez said she loves when her dad will tuck Bunny in. Photo courtesy of Milena Velez
Childhood possessions, such as these, are important to Pepperdine students, whether that’s due to the memories they hold or how they may feel or smell.
“I’ve had Puppy through waiting in hospice rooms and nightmares, and it came with me to college,” Cluck said.
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Contact Alicia Dofelmier via email: alicia.dofelmier@pepperdine.edu
