A reveal from the spring line and a story I'd like to share...

[morewineplease]

My condolences on your loss. I may only hope that you find some solace in sharing your story of endurance and how much it touches us. Thank you for reminding us to be grateful for each moment we have and cherish them.

Congratulations on your bag. It's a beauty. I love how Coach does lighter colors and studs. They're subtle, yet stand out. I'm not too cautious with mine (I have the white studded duffle) and it's not been difficult to maintain.

Thank you leechiyong. I don't know what compelled me to post such a serious topic on a purse forum. At first I felt weird, thinking maybe it was inappropriate. But my heart told me to do it. The support I've gotten from a group of strangers really is comforting. There's a great group of ladies here.

Good to know that your light bag hasn't been too difficult to maintain. I asked the SAs what other colors this studded Edie would be in. As far as they knew, only the chalk and black. The studs really stand out on the lighter color so I figured I'd take a chance. Glad I did. Thanks again.

 

[grannytoabbi]

Thank you all so much!

Oh my gosh, I didnt read your entire story, I'm so sorry for your loss. Bless your heart, Anne

 

[LauraTracy]

That is so beautiful and so is your bag. I know you'll wear it together well.

 

[leechiyong]

Thank you leechiyong. I don't know what compelled me to post such a serious topic on a purse forum. At first I felt weird, thinking maybe it was inappropriate. But my heart told me to do it. The support I've gotten from a group of strangers really is comforting. There's a great group of ladies here.

Good to know that your light bag hasn't been too difficult to maintain. I asked the SAs what other colors this studded Edie would be in. As far as they knew, only the chalk and black. The studs really stand out on the lighter color so I figured I'd take a chance. Glad I did. Thanks again.

You're welcome. I agree; TPFers are a wonderful bunch.

 

[AshleyLovesLV]

Long story short, I ordered some shoes from the Coach website that were on sale that unfortunately didn't fit right. Took them back to the store to return. While I was there, I asked the SAs if by chance they had the chalk studded Edie yet. They brought one out from the back. In the past, I wasn't that fond of Edie, preferred my Phoebes, but I instantly fell in love. I love the details on this, really adds something special. The light color scares me a bit, but I'll be careful. Here is a not so good picture that I snapped last night. Much better looking in person, imo.

There is a story behind this purse. But first, if you have the time, check out a thread I posted almost a year ago to get the whole picture:

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/my-trip-to-the-boutique-with-dh-854154.html

My husband, whom I was with for 17 years, had heart surgery that I truly believed was going to give him a new lease on life. Instead, he suffered complications that ended up taking his life. I was devastated. We were extremely close and the thought of living the rest of my life without him was unimaginable. It took me a long time to feel like going shopping, but sometimes I just needed to get out of the house. One time, I got the courage to go into the Coach store. The SA recognized me and I forget how exactly, but I ended up telling her about what happened to my husband. She was shocked, to say the least.

Whenever I stop by that store, the SAs ask how I'm doing. Last weekend when I stopped by they asked again and I ended up getting an unexpected therapy session. I got myself that chalk Edie, which was a temporary pick-me-up as retail therapy often is, but more importantly, the girls and I talked awhile about life, why things happen, and how it helps to believe that things happen for a reason, etc. I left there with more than just a new purse, I left there thinking how thoughtful these women were who barely knew me.

While my husband is probably looking down at me from above thinking, "Another purse??" I know he'd understand. I'm saving this one for my birthday again because if he were here he would've gotten it for me. Sounds cheesy, but whenever I carry my Coach purses (with his wedding ring tucked inside), I think of him and how we shopped for them together. I miss the little things like that, and I miss his big heart. Posting about such things is part of the healing process for me. Thanks for listening...

What a beautiful, bittersweet story. God bless you, and congrats on your new find!

 

[inch37]

I'm so sorry for your loss beautiful bag... Was in tears just reading this... God bless you and I know he's smiling looking down on you.

 

[lurkernomore]

Please enjoy your bag - it is beautiful. Knowing that your husband's ring is with you all of the time makes it extra special.
My husband of 30+ years had a severe reaction to multiple bee stings in the fall and went into shock. I thought I lost him, and the feelings and emotions are still too difficult to put into words. The hospital was amazing and he came through, but I still have nightmares.

 

[Hierophilic]

Long story short, I ordered some shoes from the Coach website that were on sale that unfortunately didn't fit right. Took them back to the store to return. While I was there, I asked the SAs if by chance they had the chalk studded Edie yet. They brought one out from the back. In the past, I wasn't that fond of Edie, preferred my Phoebes, but I instantly fell in love. I love the details on this, really adds something special. The light color scares me a bit, but I'll be careful. Here is a not so good picture that I snapped last night. Much better looking in person, imo.

There is a story behind this purse. But first, if you have the time, check out a thread I posted almost a year ago to get the whole picture:

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/my-trip-to-the-boutique-with-dh-854154.html

My husband, whom I was with for 17 years, had heart surgery that I truly believed was going to give him a new lease on life. Instead, he suffered complications that ended up taking his life. I was devastated. We were extremely close and the thought of living the rest of my life without him was unimaginable. It took me a long time to feel like going shopping, but sometimes I just needed to get out of the house. One time, I got the courage to go into the Coach store. The SA recognized me and I forget how exactly, but I ended up telling her about what happened to my husband. She was shocked, to say the least.

Whenever I stop by that store, the SAs ask how I'm doing. Last weekend when I stopped by they asked again and I ended up getting an unexpected therapy session. I got myself that chalk Edie, which was a temporary pick-me-up as retail therapy often is, but more importantly, the girls and I talked awhile about life, why things happen, and how it helps to believe that things happen for a reason, etc. I left there with more than just a new purse, I left there thinking how thoughtful these women were who barely knew me.

While my husband is probably looking down at me from above thinking, "Another purse??" I know he'd understand. I'm saving this one for my birthday again because if he were here he would've gotten it for me. Sounds cheesy, but whenever I carry my Coach purses (with his wedding ring tucked inside), I think of him and how we shopped for them together. I miss the little things like that, and I miss his big heart. Posting about such things is part of the healing process for me. Thanks for listening...

Your story hits home in a number of ways for me, but the two that I want to mention are my mom and dad. My father died suddenly when I was a child, and my mom, mother of 5 children, struggled to balance her grief and motherhood. She and dad had bumps, but they were friends before anything else, partners in life, they did everything. When he passed, my mom was lost.

I know, in that sense at least, what you're dealing with and I have to say my heart goes out to you in entirety. Be kind to yourself, and know that he is with you. My mama says that those we love live through us in their memories, and each time we speak their names, each time we think of them with love in our hearts and pride in our eyes, they are with us, they live within us. So speak frequently on him, speak with love, and never let yourself feel like you're bothering anyone by talking about how much you miss your husband. Anyone who has lost someone they loved knows.

Grief is like fear in more ways than we can understand. We must face our grief in order to heal, much like we must face our fears in order to live. So grieve, unabashedly, wholly, and heal. Heal and remember, and love, love, love. Love doesn't disappear when someone you love passes away. 25 years later, my mom still loves my dad exactly as he was the last time he said he loved her.

I'm rambling now, but I want to conclude by saying my thoughts, my heart is with you in this time.

“Though lovers be lost, love shall not; And death shall have no dominion.”
― Dylan Thomas

P.S. That bag is beautiful!!

 

[whateve]

I've read your story several times by now and every time I can't stop the tears. Thank you for sharing.

 

[eleanors36]

Thanks so much for sharing your story. You gave every one a wonderful gift, and I wish you much comfort and peace. The bag is stunning!

 

[oldbag]

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my only sibling, my brother in 2010 and though today I can still laugh and enjoy my husband and friends; at that time I still had so much grief, it was the sight of a young woman walking down the street carrying a classy coach bag that actually put a smile, however briefly on my face. Sometimes seeing something you love can lift your spirits. Enjoy your bag for years. My dh always tells me that if I die first he knows where to find me, I'll be looking in the gift shop.

 

[rose10]

Your husband would be happy to know that your are happy, smiling and taking life head on! Keep him alive in your memories, still do all the things that you did together, let him know that your are OK. What a lovely bag! Enjoy her! xoxo

 

[morewineplease]

Oh my gosh, I didnt read your entire story, I'm so sorry for your loss. Bless your heart, Anne

That is so beautiful and so is your bag. I know you'll wear it together well.

What a beautiful, bittersweet story. God bless you, and congrats on your new find!

I'm so sorry for your loss beautiful bag... Was in tears just reading this... God bless you and I know he's smiling looking down on you.

I've read your story several times by now and every time I can't stop the tears. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks so much for sharing your story. You gave every one a wonderful gift, and I wish you much comfort and peace. The bag is stunning!

Thank you all. When I reread my original post from many months ago, I was in tears too. It's all kind of unreal...

 

[morewineplease]

Please enjoy your bag - it is beautiful. Knowing that your husband's ring is with you all of the time makes it extra special.
My husband of 30+ years had a severe reaction to multiple bee stings in the fall and went into shock. I thought I lost him, and the feelings and emotions are still too difficult to put into words. The hospital was amazing and he came through, but I still have nightmares.

Thank you, I will enjoy my bag. Scary what your husband went through - glad he's ok. Hugs to you!

 

[morewineplease]

Your story hits home in a number of ways for me, but the two that I want to mention are my mom and dad. My father died suddenly when I was a child, and my mom, mother of 5 children, struggled to balance her grief and motherhood. She and dad had bumps, but they were friends before anything else, partners in life, they did everything. When he passed, my mom was lost.

I know, in that sense at least, what you're dealing with and I have to say my heart goes out to you in entirety. Be kind to yourself, and know that he is with you. My mama says that those we love live through us in their memories, and each time we speak their names, each time we think of them with love in our hearts and pride in our eyes, they are with us, they live within us. So speak frequently on him, speak with love, and never let yourself feel like you're bothering anyone by talking about how much you miss your husband. Anyone who has lost someone they loved knows.

Grief is like fear in more ways than we can understand. We must face our grief in order to heal, much like we must face our fears in order to live. So grieve, unabashedly, wholly, and heal. Heal and remember, and love, love, love. Love doesn't disappear when someone you love passes away. 25 years later, my mom still loves my dad exactly as he was the last time he said he loved her.

I'm rambling now, but I want to conclude by saying my thoughts, my heart is with you in this time.

P.S. That bag is beautiful!!

Thank you for sharing your story and for your wise words about healing and loving. I reread what you wrote several times and will reread it again when I need inspiration.