You were my favorite toy growing up. I remember I had a huge box filled with different Barbies and accessories. It didn't matter how lonely I felt because I always had a box of friends that made all my worries go away. You were probably the highlight of my childhood toys and I wouldn't have traded you for the world.

I don't know why people are attacking you here lately. I grew up with you and I don't have a skewed vision of what beauty should be. I understood at a young age that you were plastic and that real skin didn't work that way. It's as if people are just looking for something to whine about.

You taught me that I could be anything I wanted from astronaut to veterinarian. You never made me feel self-conscious or ashamed. Seeing you wear that lab coat gave me a feeling of pride as I looked up at the shelf and thought, "I could do that too."

Your relationship taught me that I can be independent of my partner while still being a partner. You taught me that being in love didn't make me weak and that it wasn't an emotion I had to bottle up if I wanted to be taken seriously. You also taught me that love is expressed in many different ways, and that even in a romantic relationship there is a great need for there to also be friendship.

The people who attack you reduce you to your looks, which is ironic considering the fact that they claim they want society to stop doing that to women. They have decided that simply because you are pretty that suddenly you are this evil creature that needs slaying. I don't understand how they can be so hypocritical.

You gave me an outlet for my emotions, a stage to showcase my writing, but most importantly you gave me happiness in a rough childhood. My biggest wish is that you are around when I have children so that way they get to experience the magic of Barbie.

Love,

A Lifelong Fan