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My love for clothing began with my Grandma. Every year, she would ask me what I wanted for my birthday. One year, I shyly asked if she could get me an outfit. She agreed—but I could hear a little hesitation in her voice. I remember feeling nervous afterward, wondering what she might pick. When my birthday came, I sat cross-legged on her soft green carpet, unwrapping the gift she had so carefully chosen. Inside was the most beautiful outfit I had ever seen—a pink and blue striped top with a front tie and a matching pair of pink skorts. I was stunned. Up until then, I was used to cutoff jean shorts and oversized T-shirts. But this… this felt special. It felt like me. Grandma beamed as I held it up, and with a twinkle in her eye, she told me how she had gone to the store and asked several women what the perfect outfit for her granddaughter might be. “It has to be hip,” she had told them. After lots of advice, she landed on this one. And she was so proud. I hugged her tighter than ever that day. And from then on, I only wore that outfit when we went to visit her—it just felt too special to wear anywhere else. Every time she saw me in it, she’d smile and say, “Melissa, that is such a beautiful outfit… the person who picked it out must have an amazing eye,” followed by a little wink. I’ll never forget that moment or how loved I felt. Love you always, Grandma.