When I was pregnant with Gavin, every purchase we made was calculated and well thought out. My diaper bag was no exception. I wanted it to be functional... not too girly, so Ed would want to carry it... and something that would last. My first place to look? Lands' End, of course.
Turns out they had exactly what I was looking for. A light green backpack that was a diaper bag. Functional - check. Not too girly - check. Quality - check. And, as a bonus, it could be monogrammed!! I gave them specific instructions to please write Gavin's name in all lower case. What can I say - it's my thing. When it arrived - it was perfect and even nicer than I expected.
We couldn't have predicted how much we would rely on that backpack in the years ahead. It carted breastfeeding supplies and comforts from home back and forth every day to the NICU for the first month. It lived with me at DuPont with Gavin... and Ed would bring it home to fill it up with more books and toys and clothes... back and forth for three more months. It went to every specialist appointment, doctor appointment and surgery.
When Brian was born, the boys shared the diaper bag. One pocket had Brian's diapers - the other had Gavin's. And I intended to use the same bag when Darcy joined our family... but she never arrived.
Gavin used this backpack when he went to pre-school. It came back and forth each day with his art projects and empty lunchbox. I loved seeing it hang on the back of his wheelchair as he got on the bus in the morning. And I looked forward to the day I would watch him enter the doors of his Kindergarten with the backpack that had seen him through so much.
But that day never came.
About a month ago, I finally emptied Gavin's backpack. I lovingly scrubbed it clean and remembered all that it had seen us through. The triumphs and the tragedies. After it dried, I was about to carry it up to Hope's closet - where it would stay until we would use it for her - when I had an idea.
I sat at my computer and composed an email to Lands' End. I told them everything I just wrote - how this bag had come to mean so much to us. How Gavin used it... and then Brian... and how we lost Gavin so suddenly... but were now expecting Hope. I told them that this was more than just a backpack to us. It symbolized so much more. I knew they no longer carried this diaper bag backpack (which is such a shame!) - but that I wasn't looking for a new one, anyway. I HAD to use this bag for Hope - but I had a favor to ask. I asked if there was any way - if I shipped it back to them - that they could embroider Brian and Hope's names under Gavin's. I wanted all three of my children's names who used this special backpack to be on there. I pressed "send" and held my breath.
I couldn't believe how quickly I got a response.
Dear Kate,
Thank you for contacting Lands' End with your lovely, and heartbreaking, story.
First of all, on behalf of all of us here at Lands' End, we want to say how sorry we are to hear about your loss. Little Gavin must surely be one special little angel in Heaven! He was lucky to have such a loving and caring earth family as well.
We love that you shared your story with Lands' End and we certainly look forward to making your special request come true!
Have a blessed day! (And congratulations on your joyous gift arriving this Christmas)
Gavin's story circulated around the company and I soon started receiving individual emails from people who worked there. It was such a touching experience. They embraced this project with so much enthusiasm and love - making our original backpack even more special than it already was. I asked the group that worked on "Gavin's backpack project" to photograph themselves so I could share it with you, and was so happy that they said yes!! Thank you to ALL of you for making this happen!!
(In the back row: Karen, Nicki, Barb, Di and Gail - Gail did the monogramming! And in the front row: Lisa, Jodie - who I had the most communication with - and Linda.)
Last night, the Lands' End box arrived on my doorstep. It felt like Christmas - and when I opened the box and saw how they had boxed it up with a ribbon, I instantly welled up with tears.
They even included a lovely handwritten note.
When I picked up the backpack, it felt heavier than usual. I unzipped it and looked inside only to find two special presents. Beautiful personalized towels for Brian and Hope. A perfectly appropriate superhero towel for Brian...
And a princess towel for Miss Hope... complete with a crown!
I can't wait to fill this special diaper bag backpack with all things pink... just in time for Hope's arrival. It was fitting that I would get a glimpse of her the morning after receiving this special gift. Click below to see images of our little girl...
Thank you, Lands' End, for making my wish come true. To most, it would be just a "backpack." But not to me. Not to us. It's so much more...
...and I can't wait to add even more history to every pocket inside.
What a great company!!
ReplyDeleteTears. You got me good. Believe the good in people and they will show it.
ReplyDeleteGoodness. There is so much goodness in humanity. Thank you for reminding us how great people can be and for sharing the amazing photos of Hope.
ReplyDeleteA company that not only sells quality products, but one that has a heart as well! Thank you Land's End for your compassion and your care. It won't be forgotten by this Mom & Grandma!
ReplyDeleteWow. I am amazing at how Gavin's story just spreads everywhere it is told. How it touches hearts of people all over the world. Gavin brings people together.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you for sharing him with all of us through this space.
Truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome all the way around. I am sitting her with tears!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how gavin's little life is going to make such a huge difference to many lives! Way to go to keep on sharing and I was so excited to read the backpack story and THANKS to LandsEnd for being such a wonderful company and being so kind!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I love your choice in bags, we picked the exact same one with our first and I know the memories that it holds for us.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story! I'm sitting here crying (as with many of your posts). That's the coolest thing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou got me in tears this time. Im definitely going to order something from such a wonderful group of people!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this awesome story !!
ReplyDeleteHope looks beautiful.
AMAZING. Thank you for sharing this story. LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Lands' End... another great Wisconsin company! :) We have a diaper bag that we purchased in 2007 and they no longer carry it... I agree with you -- what a shame!! Our baby sister was born in April 2013 and we wanted to purchase a new diaper bag for her but she's using her sister's old one and it's working fine. Btw, when DD1 was born, I'd read somewhere online that you should get a diaper bag that can 'grow up' with a kid (no Winnie-the-Pooh, etc) and put your LAST name on the bag so you can use it with more than one kid. You solution was perfect though!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that??!! Very touching.
ReplyDeleteWhat I great story.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration to all of your readers.
Blessings to you and your family.
Great story! I have relied on Land's End countless times for school backpacks and clothes and will forever patronize them for the caring and personal way they responded to your request Kate! I look forward to reading your posts each day, you are an inspiration to this special needs Mom who has experienced similar loss. I pray for your beautiful family every day and I know my angel babies are soaring with Gavin eternally in Heaven. God Bless you and yours!
ReplyDeleteLove Lands End and amazing people!
ReplyDeleteAwww. What a touching story!
ReplyDeleteThank You for sharing.
Once again Gavin's story touches more lives. What a great idea for the backpack diaper bag - to use it with all 3.
ReplyDeleteAs if I didn't love Land's End enough already... but I really shouldn't read your blog posts 10 mins before a meeting. Now I need fresh mascara! What a wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story...thanks for sharing it with us! My 2 kids have been through 2 Lands End backpacks in 5 years...they last and last. They even have their lunch boxes!
ReplyDeleteThere goes Gavin...touching hearts and lives AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. What a great company - they will get my order from now on when I need something.
ReplyDeleteI love nice people! I'm so glad you keep finding wonderful souls along your journey - and that you thank them and appreciate them whole heartedly.
ReplyDeletethis is so wonderful!!! what a fantastic company!
ReplyDeleteI have read this entry a couple of times now, and each time a tear falls down my cheek. It is a great reminder that it is the little things that make a difference the most. Hats off to Lands End for realizing this.
ReplyDeleteI love Lands End even more now! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I missed this the first time it posted...amazing story!
ReplyDeleteKate you are such a wonderful women...please keep your post coming....Gavin has touched so many people around the world...God Bless an Happy Holidays to your whole family Kate...
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