Collection or Obsession?

When I was very young, my mother and grandmother took my two older cousins and myself to Opryland. We spent the day enjoying all that the former Nashville amusement park had to offer. Before we left at the end of the day we each got to pick out a souvenir to take home. No one really remembers what my cousins picked out, but everyone would remember what I selected.


That night as we lay in our hotel beds, my grandmother asked us what our favorite part of the day was. Each of my cousins mentioned their favorite rides and attractions from the park. Then I was asked what my favorite part of the day was.  My mother says (because I don’t really remember this story) that out of the darkness my little voice said, “my new bee-fohd” (aka billfold...I couldn't say  my "L's"). That day an obsession was born.

I didn’t realize how many billfolds and wallets I had until I was changing my cards from my current Marc Jacobs wallet into my new Marc Jacobs wallet that I got for my birthday (my Marc Jacobs addiction is a whole other issue).   After looking through my wallet drawer only to find that I owned more than I thought, I decided I would thin out the herd by consigning or donating some of them.

After much deliberation, I couldn't get rid of a single one.  I loved them all.  Even though I keep buying more, I still love them all.  I love my Kate Spade, my Marc Jacobs, my Louis Vuitton, my Liberty of London, my no names, my handmades, my vintage, every single one of them.  I will say, before I sound like an overindulgent snob, that none of the designer ones were purchased at retail price. 

I don't know where that little pink Opryland billfold is today, but it definitely sparked an interest.  And for now, I will be keeping my entire collection of wallets.