Childhood is full of magnificent wonders. A few of the biggest ones that impacted my life include the oatmeal that hatched the little dinosaur eggs, learning to ride a bike, and Build-A-Bear.

I remember the excitement that would fill my awkward little heart when my family or friends would suggest a trip to what I considered The Other Most Magical place on Earth. My sister and I would plan out our trips to Build-A-Bear in great detail, and my friends that had their birthday parties there were the coolest kids I knew.

It has been about 10 years since I went to Build-A-Bear, but I've never forgotten the magical feeling of making my own stuffed animal. Is your memory a little, no pun intended, fuzzy? Read on for a reminder of how Build-A-Bear made childhood just a little bit more awesome:

1. Carrying a Build-A-Bear box through the mall provided instant status.

If you were the one holding the box, you were the luckiest kid around. If you saw someone holding the box, you wanted to be them. So fierce.

2. Build-A-Bears that were also popular movie characters were the coolest toys ever.

Mumble from "Happy Feet?" Yes, please. Toothless from "How To Train Your Dragon?" Bring it on. Michelangelo from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?" Yes yes yes.

3. Shopping for Build-A-Bear clothes was way more fun than shopping for people clothes.

Everything fits on the first try, and so many things are covered in sparkles! My childhood clothes shopping trips were always fairly traumatic, but shopping for my bear was fabulous.

4. The people who worked at Build-A-Bear represented childhood career goals.

The employees at Build-A-Bear were the pinnacle of humanity for a 7-year-old. They got to work in the coolest place in the world! Who needed superheroes when you had these guys?

5. Warming up and putting good wishes into the Build-A-Bear's heart had a delightful mad scientist appeal.

I wonder how many kids wished for the Build-A-Bear to turn into a minion or an evil henchman. Oh, just me? Never mind then.

6. The stuffing machine was huge and magical.

If you had the opportunity to work the pedal for the stuffing machine at Build-A-Bear, you were blessed. That thing turned empty shells into stuffed animals. It was nothing short of miraculous.

7. The hug test was the best way of determining if something was ready.

I wish we could do this with diplomats and politicians before we sent them out into the world. That would probably help reduce the number of cranky powerful people causing trouble.

8. Before Twitter and Facebook, there was the Build-A-Bear website.

Move over, Webkinz. Bearville was here first. Bearville helped kick start my habit of spending way too much time on the internet, which continues to this day.

9. Choosing a name for a Build-A-Bear was excellent practice for naming future pets and children.

Build-A-Bear created a birth certificate for you to take home with your bear. That meant that you had one shot to get it right, and you needed to commit. No pressure or anything.

10. The accessories section had everything a kid could possibly dream up.

Glasses, inflatable couches and lightsabers, oh my! I remember finding bear-sized crutches, a wheelchair, and a hearing aid in the accessories section, too. They made sure that no one was left out.

11. The official mascot, Bearemy, was ridiculously adorable.

The original Build-A-Bear had the classic teddy bear look with the cutest bushy eyebrows you ever did see. My best friend and I bought all the wedding accessories for our Bearemys and had a ceremony that would make any wedding planner proud.

12. The experience of making a Build-A-Bear created a special bond between you and your fuzzy friend.

I would tell my bears all my secrets, tuck them in at night, and carry them around for months. They showed up in quite a few family photos!

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. You might think that stuffed animals are for kids, but there are so many of us that love them as adults. Embrace your love of the cute and fluffy! By the way, Build-A-Bear is currently selling a Spock bear that makes the Live Long and Prosper sign. They may also have a bear-sized phaser. I may or may not be able to resist the temptation. Care to join me?