Meet the Dolls




Felicity Merriman is my first and most cherished friend. I was given her by my grandma on Christmas day of 1998. She went in for a head and limb replacement in the summer of 2016 due to a graying defect in her vinyl. I am slowly acquiring all of the items I wanted from her collection as a child.


Kaya'aton'my was my second doll and even though I was "growing out of dolls" I fell in love with her at first sight upon release. She was a gift to me from my grandparents the summer of 2002 after a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota.


Caroline Abbott was the first doll I bought for myself as an adult collector. I bought her from the American Girl Place at the Mall of America the spring of 2015 shortly before her archival announcement. She started a new love of the regency time period for me. 


Rebecca Rubin was purchased in the late summer of 2015. I bought her for myself as I was learning about my Jewish ancestry at the time and taking a course at my Temple on Judaism. I still believe her stories don't deserve so much of the dislike they receive- her stories are exactly what made me love her character.


Josefina Montoya was purchased in December 2015 during the Give a Doll, Get a Doll promotion. She was a gift to me from my wife and mother-in-law after a particularly difficult fall. She's the doll I go to for comfort, especially when struggling with grief. A definite favorite of mine.


Kirsten Larson was a surprise purchase. I bought her from a fellow collector who could not bond with her after a head and limb replacement. She arrived still bound in the box from her stay at the doll hospital. She is my first of the original three characters.


Nanea Mitchell was purchased in August 2017 as a part of the AG Rewards program. I received her two weeks before her debut! I've always wanted a WWII doll- but never bonded with Molly. Needless to say Nanea is everything I wanted and more! She received an eye exchange through American Girl in March 2019.


Maryellen Larkin was purchased in February 2017 from American Girl Place Mall of America. She's in the lead with Kit for biggest wardrobe around here- and is especially spoiled. She once accompanied me to a comedy show!


Melody Ellison was purchased in September 2016. She was the first doll to dine with me at AGP on the day she was purchased. Also known as DeeDee, she goes just about everywhere with her favorite stuffed elephant. Her mystery currently remains one of my very favorites.


Kit Kittredge was a purchase from Tumblr, of all places. Her previous owner had outgrown their interest in dolls and was looking to rehome them. She came to me with a broken eye mechanism and filed down toes, all of which were completely fixed during a visit to the doll hospital. She received a new head and limbs in spring 2015. She has a HUGE wardrobe and likes to claim that she's the favorite.


Samantha Parkington joined my collection on March 1st, 2019.  I held off of getting her for so long because she was the doll my childhood friend had so I always thought of Samantha as hers. I found her on eBay, the doll of a former adult collector. I recently read all of her stories for the first time and have fallen in love with her character.


Lea Clark was purchased on her debut day, January 1st 2016. I braved the mall and was the first in line for her release. She was the first doll that I completed a collection for! Her love of animals, travel and photography are some things I can really relate to.


Grace Thomas made her debut in my collection on January 3rd, 2015. Let's be honest, she started my adult collection! I was thinking about my American Girl dolls and decided to check out the website in late December 2014. I got caught up in the excitement of her impending reveal and ended up falling in love with her and her collection.


Isabelle Palmer was a former visual model at the Mall of America store. I purchased her from a former employee off of eBay. Her collection is one of my favorites from the Girl of the Year line. All of the sequins and dancing remind me of my days in show choir.


Saige Copeland joined my collection in January 2018. I credit/blame my dear friend Becca with bringing her to my attention. I purchased her from eBay from someone who had just sent her in for a head replacement. Saige has traveled with me several times, most notably to Atlanta in August 2018.


Chrissa Maxwell was an impulse purchased in July 2018. I randomly ended up watching her movie for the first time that summer and loved her character and theme. Oddly enough, Chrissa used to be a doll I never saw myself adding to my collection. I blame her stock photos. She's patiently waiting the day I finally break down and buy Starburst the llama for her.


Gabriela McBride was my 26th birthday present from my mom and grandma. I received her on January 15th 2017. Much like Isabelle, her collection reminds me of when I was in show choir. Her books are some of my favorites from the GOTY line, especially the bond she shares with her cat.


Luciana Vega was purchased on her debut day, January 1st 2018. I credit heer and her collection for reigniting the love of science I had as a child. She received the eye exchange from American Girl in March 2019. The adoption story-line in her books holds a special place in my heart, having been adopted by my Dad.


Lanie Holland found me! She happened to be at a Once Upon a Child on a day I went in to sell some items. She shares my maiden name and a love for camping. How could I leave her behind? My first ever thrift store score.


Nicki Fleming was purchased from a fellow collector in April 2019. I became curious about her after hearing reviews of her books stating that she dealt with some anxiety and depression. I was going through a hard time myself and found comfort in the fact that her books tackled similar feelings.


Blaire Wilson was given to me on January 1st, 2019 in memory of my Dad who had died just four days before. Because of this she ranks among my most treasured dolls. She received an eye exchange through American Girl in March 2019.


Tenney Grant joined my collection in memory of my grandma Ursula. They both share a love of everything Southern and country. She was a character who surprised me- I went into her books expecting not to like her and her too good to be true story-line. Instead I found myself admiring her perseverance.


Suzie 'Z' Yang was a present from my parents on Christmas 2017. I had admired her in store all year long and couldn't believe my eyes when I unwrapped her. Around here she has a spunky energy and love of video games.


Truly Me #42, Margot, was purchased during my first ever trip to the MCM Benefit Sale! She's a fellow cat lover and enjoys reading when she's not busy perfecting her routines for cheer team. 



Truly Me #26, Violette, is a former visual model for the North Carolina store and a gift from my friend Becca. She has a Pomeranian named Penni, plays the violin and is a member of her school gymnastics team.


Truly Me #78, Nancy, was a gift from my mom in March 2019. She was the last remaining #78 at the Mall of America store prior to its closing. She is named for my lifelong love of Nancy Drew. She has a grey cat and is an active member of her basketball team.


Truly Me #61, Jude, was my final purchase from the Mall of America store on March 20th, 2019. She has a German Shepherd and spends as much of her free time outside as possible. She loves to go camping, hiking, and bird watching. 

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